Rabies warning for Front Royal
The Lord Fairfax Health District has issued a rabies warning for Front Royal.
The warning is due to the discovery of a raccoon with rabies on April 17th near the Royal Arms Apartments.
The raccoon is no longer a threat to the area but if you believe that you, your children, or a pet came in contact with that raccoon, they should call the Warren County Health Department immediately.
Any bite, scratch, or lick from an animal with rabies can lead to exposure.
The health department also issued a reminder to stay away from wild animals and keep your pet’s vaccines up to date.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDH expands free COVID-19 testing in the LFHD
An email from Lorrie Andrew-Spear of the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Communications Office announced the expansion of COVID-19 testing.
The Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) will now have free COVID-19 testing every Wednesday in February including today Feb. 2.
The clinics will be held each Wed. at the Warren County Health and Human Services Complex at 465 W. 15 Street Front Royal from 1 until 3 p.m..
Enter the clinic on the gymnasium side of the building wearing your mask and have a photo identification with you.
There is no registration required for the clinic and it is on a first come first served basis.
The clinics are for anyone 2 years of age and over.
All those under the age 18 are required to have a parent or guardian with them.
Walk ups will be accepted.
This is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test with results relayed in as few as three days.
No rapid test will be available at these clinics.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
LFHD and Dollar General partner for vaccines
The Lord Fairfax Health District is partnering with Dollar General stores around the valley to provide free COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine clinics will be held at various locations throughout the valley starting Tuesday, February 8th and continue on each Tuesday and Saturday through the rest of the month.
The Dollar General locations in rotation include Stephens City, Middletown, Toms Brook, Edinburg, and Shenandoah.
Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be available for anyone over 18 and Pfizer for 5 and up.
Boosters will be given to those eligible and please bring your previous vaccination card.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
News Maker Leea Shirley on COVID testing today 1/26
Free COVID-19 testing is being offered today Jan. 26 and next Wednesday Feb. 2 from 1 until 3 p.m..
The two clinics will be held at the Health and Human Services Complex on 15 St. Front Royal.
We spoke with Lord Fairfax Health District Nurse Manager Leea Shirley about the clinic in our latest news maker segment.
The good news is brought to you by The Town of Front Royal.
Leea explains the requirements to get into the clinic.
She also tells us the type of testing that will be done.
Leea also tells us about the possibility of future clinics.
Click here for Leea’s interview.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDH offers free COVID-19 vaccinations in Shenandoah VA. tomorrow 1/21
The Virginia Department of Health’ s (VDH) Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) has teamed up with Dollar General Stores to offer COVID-19 vaccinations.
A VDH email announced that the Dollar General Store in Shenandoah Virginia will offer a vaccination clinic tomorrow Jan. 21.
The clinic will offer vaccinations at the 727 4 Street Shenandoah Virginia location from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..
The clinic will offer first, second, primary and booster doses of the vaccines.
All three of the vaccines will be available at the clinic.
Anyone 5 and older is eligible for certain vaccines.
Everyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be vaccinated.
Walk ups are welcomed but appointments can also be made at vase.vdh.virginia.gov.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Dr. Greene joins Gov. Youngkin’s health team
Governor Glenn Youngkin on the official Governor Web Page announced several key administrative appointments.
Youngkin calls the appointments the most important management team he has ever assembled.
Telling Virginians that they can rest assured they have brought together the most qualified team that they deserve.
One of those appointments includes the current Director of the Lord Fairfax Health District Dr. Colin Greene as the acting commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Dr. Greene will continue to serve as the director of the Lord Fairfax Health District but expects to have a replacement ready within the week.
Dr. Greene will replace out going commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver who served under Gov. Northam.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Free COVID-19 tests in Front Royal
The Virginia Department of Health is offering free COVID-19 tests in Front Royal.
On the next three Wednesdays, January 19th, 26th and February 2nd, free tests will be offered at the Warren County Health and Human Services Complex.
The test available will be the three-day PCR test.
No rapid tests will be given.
Tests will be given on a first come, first serve basis with no cost or insurance needed.
Walk-ups are encouraged as no appointments are required.
Please bring a mask and your ID if attending.
For more information about this event, call (434)713-5199 or (434)766-9800.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
LFHD offering Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Covid-19 Vaccines
(Winchester, Va.) — Beginning immediately, the Virginia Department of Health’s Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) will offer vaccine boosters for the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 vaccine in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) below. The booster vaccine can be obtained anytime after 6 months from the date of second Pfizer vaccine. Please note that only those who have received two shots of Pfizer vaccine and meet the following criteria are eligible:
- people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series
- people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series
- people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
- people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizerprimary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
Lord Fairfax Health District (LFHD) encourages all eligible persons to get their COVID-19 vaccine if they haven’t already done so. To find a vaccination site near you, visitvase.vdh.virginia.gov or visitwww.vaccines.gov.
“The COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness may decrease slowly after six months, but people still have strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death,” said Dr. Colin Greene, director of LFHD. “The CDC recommends that the booster dose be given six months or more after the second shot, but individuals who have not yet received a booster will still be considered fully vaccinated.”
LFHD will offer COVID-19 boosters on a walk-in basis at all five local health department clinics. Look for the sign outside the clinic.
Again, those who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are not authorized for booster doses at this time. We expect additional recommendations regarding these vaccines in the coming weeks.
If you are coming for your booster dose, wear a mask and please bring your vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine you received for your second dose. We recommend you wait at the clinic site for 15 minutes after receiving the booster dose.
For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus. Find convenient, free vaccination locations near you by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1).
River Report: 8-2-21
In this edition of the Shenandoah River Report , Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf has a follow up to Friday’s update from the Lord Fairfax Health District for the North Fork. Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. Let Don Roberts help you plan some August fun on the South Fork (where there are currently no health advisories). Visit https://frontroyaloutdoors.com
LFHD warns of rabies risk
Lord Fairfax Health District warns of a rabies risk.
July 16, 2021 2 bats were found deceased on the 200 block of Darby drive in Winchester.
Both bats were collected and later tested positive for rabies.
Everyone should bare in mind that any bite, scratch or lick from a raccoon, fox, skunk, bat, or feral cat could result in exposure.
This applies to both humans and domesticated animals.
If you are bitten, scratched, or licked by any of these high risk animals, seek medical attention immediately.
Rabies is fatal to both animals and humans once symptoms begin, but it can be prevented in humans if they receive the vaccine and medication soon after exposure.
If you have any questions please call the Frederick/Winchester Health Department at 540-722-3480.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.