Category Archives: In The News

Order Your At-Home Covid-19 Test Kits Today

Posted on by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 31, 2022

CONTACT:
Natasha Young, Public Information Officer
PH: 770-531-5679 • FAX: 770-535-5958
natasha.young@dph.ga.gov
Press Release DocumentDownload

GAINESVILLE – COVID-19 testing remains important in the fight against community spread. Free COVID-19 at-home test kits are available through a partnership with the federal government and the United States Postal Service.

Help protect your community against COVID-19, order your at-home test kit by visiting covid.gov/tests or order by phone in English or Spanish by calling 1-800-232-0233. Individuals with impaired hearing who require assistance should call TTY 1-888-720-7489.

Each household will receive:

  • 8 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
  • Your order of 8 tests will come in 2 separate packages (4 tests in each package), each with its own tracking number
  • Packages will ship free

When to test for COVID-19:

  • You have any COVID-19 symptoms, test immediately
  • You were exposed to someone with COVID-19, test at least 5 days after your exposure (If you test negative for COVID-19, consider testing again 1 to 2 days after your first test)
  • You are going to an indoor event or a gathering, test immediately before the gathering, or as close to the time of the event as possible.

Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order at-home test kits. Order your free COVID-19 test kits at covid.gov/tests today.
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Travel Health Clinic to Open at Forsyth County Health Department

Posted on by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 27, 2022

CONTACT:
Natasha Young, Public Information Officer
PH: 770-531-5679 • FAX: 770-535-5958
natasha.young@dph.ga.gov
Press Release DocumentDownload

CUMMING – Travel season is fast approaching. This year is set to become a very busy travel season compared to the previous two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forsyth County Health Department will open an international travel clinic to provide travel consultations, vaccinations, and medications starting June 1.

The travel nurse specialist will provide important health advice concerning your travel destination. During your visit, discuss your travel plan with your nurse to determine what destination–specific vaccines and medicines are needed. Nurses will go over routine, required and recommended vaccines as well as preventative medications during the consultation. You can receive your vaccines on the day of the consultation, a separate vaccination appointment is not required.

Plan your clinic visit early, six to eight weeks before you leave for your trip is recommended. Most insurances will not cover the cost of travel vaccines, contact your insurance company for its specific travel vaccine policy.

Travel smart while traveling abroad. Schedule your travel appointment by contacting the Forsyth County Health Department at 770-781-6900. Clinic hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

For more information regarding travel vaccines visit the CDC website to learn more.

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May 26, 2022 – Forsyth and Hall County Covid-19 Test Sites are Closed Due to Weather

Posted on by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 26, 2022

Contact:
Natasha Young, Public Information Officer
Ph: 770-531-5679 | Fax: 770-535-5958
natasha.young@dph.ga.gov

GAINESVILLE – District 2 Public Health and Mako Labs will close the COVID-19 test sites at Sherwood Plaza in Gainesville and Central Park Recreation Complex in Cumming today, May 26, 2022, due to inclement weather.

The testing sites will reopen tomorrow if it is safe to do so.

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Press Release DocumentDownload

Sherwood Plaza Covid-19 Testing Site To Close May 31

Posted on by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2022

Contact:
Natasha Young, Public Information Officer
PH: 770-531-5679 • FAX: 770-535-5958
natasha.young@dph.ga.gov

GAINESVILLE –Due to the decrease in testing demand, the COVID-19 testing site at Sherwood Plaza in Hall County will close at the end of May. The testing site has been in operation since Fall 2021 as a partnership between District 2 Public Health, North Georgia Hospital System and Mako Labs.

District 2 Public Health will continue operating two COVID-19 testing sites located in Forsyth County and Union County. Testing remains important, but vaccination is the best tool against COVID-19 to reduce hospitalizations and severe illness.

It is not too late to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster if eligible. Everyone 5 and older can be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster. To learn more about COVID-19 visit phdistrict2.org.

The following testing sites will remain open:

  • Forsyth County– Central Park Recreation Complex 2300 Keith Bridge Rd., Cumming, GA 30040
  • Union County– Union General Hospital, 35 Hospital Road, Blairsville, GA 30512

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Press Release DocumentDownload

DPH Urges Parents to Talk to Their Pediatricians for Guidance During Baby Formula Shortage

Posted on by
DPH-News-Release-DocumentDownload
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2022		CONTACT:
nancy.nydam@dph.ga.gov

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents unable to find baby formula typically used for their child to contact their pediatrician about appropriate nutritional and safe feeding alternatives. Georgia WIC is working with WIC agencies statewide, local grocers and retailers, and formula manufacturers to help locate formula for clients, especially those in need of specialized formula.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is offering guidance for parents that are having difficulty finding baby formula:

  • Watering down baby formula is dangerous and can cause nutritional imbalances that may lead to serious health problems. Always mix formula as directed by the manufacturer.
  • Homemade baby formulas are not advised. While recipes may seem healthy, they are not safe and do not meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
  • Buy baby formula online but only from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies.
  • Be leery of ads on social media. You can check out a company’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at www.bbb.org.
  • Do not use imported formulas from other countries that are not reviewed by the FDA.
  • Only prepare the amount of formula you will use – throw out any infant formula that is left in the bottle after feeding your baby.
  • It is recommended that during the shortage you buy no more than a 10-day to two-week supply of formula.

For a complete list of AAP guidance and tips for finding formula during the shortage, visit healthychildren.org. Parents should not hesitate to talk to their pediatrician with any concerns about their baby’s health and nutrition.

WIC clients who need help finding formula or who have questions should contact their local WIC office or call 1-800-228-9173.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgia consumers to beware of price gouging and other scams in response to the nationwide baby formula shortage. Consumers can report scams and suspected price gouging to the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) by calling 404- 651-8600 or 1-800-869-1123. Georgians can also file a complaint online by visiting CPD’s website.

DPH will continue to monitor all information coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and formula manufacturers regarding the shortage and work to ensure Georgia babies have access to food and nutrition they need to grow healthy and strong.