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We are very excited to announce that FCPH is joining the Fayette County Farmers Markets this year!!

Our staff will be at the markets on the second Saturday of every month (except June) providing health screenings and information, healthy recipes, information about our services and community resources, and more!

These are the services we will offer at the market’s opening on May 13:
-Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings
-Ask a Tech: a certified child passenger safety technician will answer your questions about car seat safety
-Community Health Fair & Family Fun Day – Health fair information and pre-registration
-Mental Health resources – May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The market will take place in the county parking lot at the corner of East and Main Streets from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. noon. We hope to see you there!

Fayette County Public Health (FCPH) and partner agencies met for a radiological tabletop exercise at the health department office in January.

The purpose of the exercise was to refine and test local radiological response plans and generate discussion regarding a hypothetical, simulated radiological emergency. Tabletop exercises are table-based activities led by a facilitator in an informal setting and do not involve hands-on practice or fieldwork.  

Ongoing planning and exercises are required to meet the deliverables of the public health emergency preparedness grant.

Agencies represented included FCPH, Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, Washington Court House City Police, Washington Fire Department, Fayette County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Jeffersonville Fire & EMS, American Red Cross, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), St. Catherine’s Manor of Washington Court House, Court House Manor, and Madison County Public Health.

The exercise facilitator was John Floyd of TetraTech, a global provider of consulting and engineering services.

Leigh N. Cannon, MPH, has been promoted to the position of health commissioner by the Fayette County Board of Health. Cannon has 17 years of experience in public health, all served at the local public health district. She started her career as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and led the county through the H1N1 response. She has also served as the Accreditation Coordinator. She was promoted to Deputy Health Commissioner in 2010.

Cannon received her undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University and her Master of Public Health from Cappella University. 

She is a member of the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners (AOHC) and serves on several local boards. 

Get to know the new Health Commissioner with a Q & A session.

What drew you to the field of public health?

I originally planned on being a high school guidance counselor and public health sort of fell into my lap.  At the time I was working as a marketing and sales representative and underwriter for State Auto Insurance.  I had just had my first child and I was struggling to make the drive to and from Columbus every day.  

Out of the blue, my mom, who worked as a public health nurse at the health department until her death in 2012, told me about an opening for the emergency preparedness position.  I was fortunate enough to be offered the position and that opened the door to public health.  

In 2010, I became the Deputy Health Commissioner, acting as the full-time administrator, and have held that position for 12 years. During my time at FCPH, I knew this was where I belonged, so I went on to get my Master of Public Health in 2019. 

Growing up, my grandfather, Bucky Dumford, was county commissioner for 27 years and my other grandfather, Robert Cannon, was a Deputy Sheriff for the county my entire childhood.  I grew up watching what a public servant really was and before I even realized it myself, I had the same public servant drive as my grandfathers before me. Working for the community came easy for me and I quickly became invested in the health and safety of others.  

Can you share some career highlights?

I have made it through two pandemics now (H1N1 and COVID-19).  Knowing the job and how to react in a crisis situation helped me tremendously during the traumatic parts of the last few years. That is not what I would classify as the best part of my job though. 

Knowledge and experience are key in a crisis situation, but what really sets us apart are the people who work for the health district and for Fayette County.  I was absolutely blown away by the support, grit, and determination shown by our staff during COVID-19.  Without them, I am just an ordinary person.  They made leading them easy.  

My favorite part of my job is always the people.  The people in the office, the agency partners who never hesitate to jump in and assist us at every turn, and also the people of the community.  It may have seemed like a lot of negativity circulating on social media over the last several years, but I assure you, there are way more positive people living and fighting in the trenches right along with us.  Those people kept us going! Despite the hard parts of the last three years, I am grateful to have seen first-hand the folks that do support us and have the same drive as I do in protecting Fayette County. 

How has public health changed since you started? 

It is funny to actually look back and reflect on this question as so much has changed in 17 years yet not much has changed either! Public Health is public health. We will always have to deal with emerging diseases, environmental issues, immunization clinics, pandemics, substance use disorders, school health services, and such.

What has changed the most for me is the experiences.  During each crisis, we learn and grow and hope that we do not repeat past mistakes.  Sometimes we do better. Sometimes we do the same.  Sometimes we fall backward.  One thing I have learned thanks to COVID-19 is that public health is extremely underfunded.  We have always been underfunded and we were fine staying in the background until the latest pandemic shot us into the spotlight and showed the world that public health is vital, and support and investment in public health programs are needed.

Despite the limited funding, and occasional lack of resources, public health in Fayette County worked smarter to provide the best care for our citizens that we could muster.  There are so many issues that affect the health of the population, and that public health impacts,  yet so many do not understand the depths and resources required to manage it all.  This has always been a struggle and I hope that in the future this becomes easier for the public health workforce.

What are your future plans or goals for Fayette County Public Health?

We are still in recovery mode from COVID-19.  I am focused on creating a safe and healthy work environment for our staff and for our clients who visit our building.  We want to continue our partnerships with our local partners and work towards our goal of focusing on important work like public health accreditation, a new electronic medical records (EMR) system, building onto programs, bringing new programs into the agency, and staying up to date on emerging issues.  We are ready to move forward! 

Fayette County Board of Health members include Dr. Brian Jenks, Dr. William Stevenson, Terry Summers, Staci Shiltz-Hamilton, and Creg Stockwell.

To learn more about Fayette County Public Health and the services and programs offered, visit faycohd.org or find them on Facebook.

Dr. Robert G. Vanzant, DVM, retired from the role of Health Commissioner at Fayette County Public Health on December 31, 2022, following 40 years of public service. He was celebrated by staff, board members, and family at a recent retirement party held in his honor.

“Now that I have retired from the position of Fayette County Health Commissioner, I will be able to concentrate more on my veterinary practice which I want to continue doing as long as mother nature and my health permits,” said Dr. Vanzant. “ I will turn 80 on my next birthday, January 2, 2023.”

Dr. VanZant’s four decades with the health district began in 1982, shortly after he opened his veterinary practice across the street from Morrow Funeral Home. He was invited to apply for an upcoming vacancy by funeral director David Morrow, a longtime member of the board of health. He took over the position after spending a few months with the former health commissioner, Dr. William E. Covert, who was also a veterinarian. 

“Here in Fayette County,” Dr. Vanzant said, “we have a combined General Health District. According to the Ohio Revised Code, the position of health commissioner can be held by someone who has the degree of MPH, MD, DO, DDS, POD, and, of course, DVM.”

While the relationship between veterinary medicine and public health may not be immediately apparent, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have long recognized that research in veterinary science is critical to understanding and improving human health. “Between animal and human medicine there are no dividing lines—nor should there be. The object is different but the experience obtained constitutes the basis of all medicine,” stated Rudolph Virchow, known as the father of modern pathology.

Dr. Vanzant shared that “The health and safety of the community in which one lives are important not only for those who might serve directly in public health but also those who become veterinarians and continue to work, in many ways, by promoting the health of the public by vaccination programs, many of which help to prevent zoonotic diseases which can be contracted by humans as well as animals.”

 “Also, many veterinarians work in assuring our foods are clean and pure, as many worked in the field as well (e.g. meat inspectors) to make sure the animals were healthy and disease free before going to the processing plants.”

While Dr. Vanzant’s role has included local guidance and oversight, the role of health commissioner has also given him the opportunity to bring a local voice to the state.

“By becoming health commissioner, I became a member of the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners or the AOHC,” he noted.   “As the voice of local public health in Ohio, AOHC is working to strengthen the state’s public health system to protect our citizens against the disease threats of today, and promote a vison for the future of healthy people in healthy Ohio communities.”

“Through this organization, we have a much greater voice in the workings of our state government and that is often the way favorable changes can be made at the local levels,” Vanzant noted.

Dr. Vanzant graduated from Whiteoak High School in Mowrystown in 1961 from a class of 20 people prior to serving in the United States Air Force from 1962-1965.  He was stationed at Wheeler Air Force Base in Hawaii and Bien Hoa in Vietnam and his job was crash rescue. Upon returning home, he married the former Betty Carol Bohl on December 18, 1965. The couple has three daughters, Lori, Joan, and Valerie.

He is a 1969 graduate of the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the Agriculture College and he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1973.

Dr. Vanzant began his career as a veterinarian in 1973 in a mixed practice at Colonial Animal Hospital in Hillsboro, Ohio. From 1974-1982, he served as the sole practitioner at Marysville Animal Hospital. He has been the sole practitioner at Court Street Animal Hospital, from 1982-Present, and has served as health commissioner in addition to his primary career as a veterinarian.  

“I worked with a vet for a while out of high school and fell in love with the profession whether we were on the farm or treating dogs and cats in the evening,” he said. “However, farm animals are often the sole source of income for the entire family so if we had an emergency from a farmer that could mean life or death for one of the animals, we often would leave during office hours and reschedule our small animal clients.”

In between his roles as a veterinarian and health commissioner, Dr. Vanzant has enjoyed hobbies such as flying, golf, restoring an old house to a veterinary practice and residence, and photography. Of these, he shared, “only photography and computer work have survived (as hobbies).”

“I do want to make it clear that I am retiring from the health department ONLY and I will continue working in my veterinary practice, as always,” said Dr. Vanzant.

The staff and board of Fayette County Public Health wish Dr. Vanzant a very happy retirement.

The COVID community level is now medium, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 9/22/2022. In the last 7 days, Fayette County Public Health (FCPH)  has received reports of 29 new COVID cases, 3 new hospitalizations, 59 new recoveries, and no new deaths. At-home tests are now widely available, and those results are not reported to FCPH, so the actual number of new cases is likely higher than reported. For more detailed data, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov and view the COVID dashboard.

Recommended actions for a MEDIUM community risk level

The CDC recommends the following actions when the community risk level is medium:

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

The homepage of the FCPH website features a widget so you can find the current COVID community risk level anytime. The data source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit faycohd.org to view.

Guidelines for quarantine and isolation can be found at: https://bit.ly/cdciq.

Drive through flu and COVID vaccines – October 4

Fayette County Public Health will host a drive-thru flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fayette County fairgrounds.

No appointment is necessary. Flu and COVID vaccines will be offered. Bivalent boosters, which offer protection against the original strain of the COVID virus and the omicron variant, are now available.

Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and the time since the last dose. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Detailed information about eligibility and timing can be found at bit.ly/922br.

Please bring an ID and your health insurance card. If you have received at least one prior vaccine dose, please bring your vaccination card.

For more details, including eligibility for booster shots, visit faycohd.org or visit the Fayette County Public Health (Ohio) Facebook page.

COVID vaccinations are available for ages 6 months and up

FCPH offers COVID vaccinations for children ages 6 months and up. COVID-19 vaccination can help protect everyone from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Appointments for COVID vaccinations can be made by calling 740-335-5910 or visiting faycohd.org/events.

Please bring:

• COVID vaccination record if you have already received at least one dose
• Health insurance card

There is no cost for a COVID vaccine. Patient insurance is billed for a fee to administer the vaccine, but patients will not be billed.  To view more dates, visit faycohd.org/events.

The COVID community level for Fayette County has dropped from high to low, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 9/15/2022. In the last 7 days, Fayette County Public Health (FCPH)  has received reports of 47 new COVID cases, 51 new recoveries, and no new hospitalizations or deaths. At-home tests are now widely available, and those results are not reported to FCPH, so the actual number of new cases is likely higher than reported. For more detailed data, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov and view the COVID dashboard.

Recommended actions for a low community risk level

The CDC recommends the following actions when the community risk level is low.

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. 
• Get tested if you have symptoms. 
• Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. 
• Wear a mask on public transportation. 

You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.

The homepage of the FCPH website features a widget so you can find the current COVID community risk level anytime. The data source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit faycohd.org to view.

Guidelines for quarantine and isolation can be found at: https://bit.ly/cdciq.

COVID vaccinations available for ages 6 months and up

FCPH offers COVID vaccinations for children ages 6 months and up. COVID-19 vaccination can help protect everyone from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Appointments for COVID vaccinations can be made by calling 740-335-5910 or visiting faycohd.org/events.

Please bring:

• COVID vaccination record if you have already received at least one dose
• Health insurance card

There is no cost for a COVID vaccine. Patient insurance is billed for a fee to administer the vaccine, but patients will not be billed.  To view more dates, visit faycohd.org/events.

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 boosters

Staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines offers the best ongoing protection. COVID-19 vaccine boosters can give you extra protection against serious illness from COVID-19. An updated booster is now available for people age 12 years and older to boost protection against the very contagious strain of COVID-19 currently circulating. Children ages 5 years through 11 years, with permission from a parent or legal guardian, can continue to boost their protection with another dose of the original COVID-19 vaccine, when eligible.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters. 

Q: Why do I need a COVID-19 booster? 

A: COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk for serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. But that protection weakens over time. A booster can help keep you protected longer. 

Q: How are the new boosters different from the original COVID-19 vaccines? 

A: The new boosters made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are bivalent boosters. This means they are made to build immunity against the original COVID-19 strain plus the newer and highly contagious COVID-19 strain currently circulating (the Omicron variant). This provides broader overall protection, and stronger protection against the Omicron variant. 

Q: When should I get a booster dose? 

A: People age 12 years and older can receive a booster dose at least two months after the primary series (Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax), initial dose (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen), or their last booster dose. Children ages 5-11 years can continue to boost their protection with another dose of the original COVID-19 vaccine at least five months after the primary series (Pfizer-BioNTech primary series recipients only). 

Q: Which booster dose should I get? The new booster or the old booster? 

A: These updated boosters made by Pfizer and Moderna are now the only booster options available for people 12 years old and older. Adolescents and teens ages 12 through 17 years can only receive the Pfizer booster, and adults can choose either the Pfizer or Moderna booster. Children ages 5-11 years with a completed Pfizer-BioNTech series can continue to boost their protection with another dose of the original COVID-19 vaccine (monovalent) when eligible. 

Q: Why can’t my 10-year-old get the new updated booster? 

A: The bivalent booster dose is only authorized for 12 years and older. COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers are expected to submit requests for updated boosters for younger children soon. 

Q: I’m 65 years old. Will I still need a second booster dose after this booster? 

A: Moving forward, everyone who is eligible for a booster will only need one booster dose. This new recommendation is regardless of the number of previous doses received, or individual risk factors such as age or medical condition. 

Q: If I recently had COVID-19, when should I get a booster shot? 

A: Getting a COVID-19 booster gives most people a high level of protection against COVID-19 even in people who have already been sick with COVID-19. If you have COVID-19 or recently had COVID-19, you can get your next dose after your symptoms have improved and your isolation period is over or you can choose to delay your next dose for three months. 

Q: If most people have had or will probably get COVID-19, why are the vaccines necessary? 

A: The goal of the vaccines has always been to prevent serious illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination significantly lowers your risk of severe illness, including hospitalization, if you get infected. Compared to people who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, unvaccinated people are more likely to get COVID-19, and much more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19. People who are vaccinated can get infected or reinfected with COVID-19, but most often experience milder symptoms. 

Q: If we need to keep getting booster doses, does this mean the COVID-19 vaccines are not working? 

A: The COVID-19 vaccines work well to lower risk of severe illness, including hospitalization from COVID-19. But that protection reduces over time. A booster dose can restore that protection. This is especially important for people who are higher risk for serious illness from For more information, visit: coronavirus.ohio.gov COVID-19 including people who are older or have underlying medical conditions. 

Q: How long does protection from a COVID-19 vaccine last?

A: Scientists are monitoring how long COVID-19 vaccine protection lasts. COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe illness and hospitalization. But protection decreases over time, especially for certain groups of people including people who are older or who have weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions. Booster doses help restore protection. The CDC continues to review evidence and updates guidance as new information becomes available.

Q: Can I get a booster dose of a different vaccine than I initially received? 

A: A COVID-19 booster dose does not have to match the vaccine given for the primary series. Some people may prefer the vaccine type originally received, and others may choose to get a different booster. Adults (18+) can choose the Pfizer or Moderna booster. Youth (12-17) can receive the Pfizer booster only. 

Q: Can I get a flu shot at the same time as my COVID-19 booster? 

A: Yes. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time. Getting both vaccines is important for prevention of severe illness, especially heading into fall and winter when respiratory illnesses increase. 

Q: Are the side effects worse for the booster? 

A: People may have some side effects from a COVID-19 booster, just like the original vaccine, including pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These are normal and signs the vaccine is working. Serious side effects are rare, but may occur. 

Q: What does “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccinations mean? 

A: People are best protected from COVID-19, just like other diseases, when they stay up-to-date with vaccinations. A person is up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations if they have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended, when eligible. 

Q: Where can I get a booster dose? 

A: Vaccines are widely available at many locations across the state, including local health departments, pediatricians, family physicians, community health centers, adult and children’s hospitals, and pharmacies. Ohioans are encouraged to call their provider for more information or visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) to locate a provider or make an appointment. 

Q: How much does a booster dose cost? 

A: There is no out-of-pocket cost for a COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to pay or have health insurance to get a booster. If you do have health insurance, your provider may ask for your insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid information because providers can charge an administration fee to insurance. 

Q: Do I need to bring my COVID-19 vaccine card to my appointment? What if I lost it? 

A: Ohioans are encouraged to bring their existing COVID-19 vaccine card to be updated. If you cannot find your vaccine card, you should first contact your original vaccine provider to see if they can locate your records. If they are unable to assist, please contact your local health department. If they are unable to assist, please review this information on how to mail a request for your vaccination records to the Ohio Department of Health. You will not be able to obtain a new vaccine card through the Ohio Department of Health, but you will be able to access your vaccination records. If you do not have your card, you can still get your booster dose. 

For additional information, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1- 833-427-5634). Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616.

Schedule your COVID primary or booster shot here.

In the last 14 days, Fayette County Public Health (FCPH)  has received reports of 116 new COVID cases, five hospitalizations, two deaths, and 147 new recoveries. The COVID Community Risk Level in Fayette County remains “high.” At-home tests are now widely available, and those results are not reported to FCPH, so the actual number of new cases is likely higher than reported. For more detailed data, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov and view the COVID dashboard.

Take action when COVID community levels are high

The homepage of the FCPH website features a widget so you can find the current COVID community risk level anytime. The data source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit faycohd.org to view.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions when the community risk level is high.

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Guidelines for quarantine and isolation can be found at: https://bit.ly/cdciq.

COVID vaccinations available for ages 6 months and up

FCPH offers COVID vaccinations for children ages 6 months and up. COVID-19 vaccination can help protect everyone from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Appointments for COVID vaccinations can be made by calling 740-335-5910 or visiting faycohd.org/events.

Please bring:

• COVID vaccination record if you have already received at least one dose
• Health insurance card

There is no cost for a COVID vaccine. Patient insurance is billed for a fee to administer the vaccine, but patients will not be billed.  To view more dates, visit faycohd.org/events.

Frequently Asked Questions about bivalent boosters

What is a bivalent COVID-19 booster?

COVID-19 vaccines have, to this point, targeted the original COVID-19 strain. COVID-19 variants have made the vaccines a little less effective over time. The new bivalent vaccine provides protection against both the original strain and the new Omicron BA.4/BA.5 variants. This provides broader protection against COVID-19. This is similar to what happens with the flu vaccine every year.

What bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters are recommended?

The CDC has recommended bivalent formulations of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bivalent is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older. 

Is the bivalent COVID-19 booster safe?

The basic ingredients used in both bivalent boosters are the same as the original monovalent vaccine. Testing by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech of their original monovalent vaccines showed that the vaccines were safe. The FDA reviewed the bivalent boosters and concluded that small changes in the vaccine target shouldn’t change the safety profile, in line with what is done with the flu vaccine.

Who is eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 booster?

Anyone 12 and older who had their primary vaccine series or last booster more than 2 months ago is eligible for the bivalent booster. The bivalent booster can’t be used for the primary vaccine series. Those aged 5 to 11 who have completed the primary vaccine series should get boosted 5 months after their most recent dose with the original vaccine. Children ages 6 months to 4 years are currently not authorized for any COVID-19 booster doses. 

Will the new booster shots prevent COVID-19 infections completely?

The bivalent booster should be more effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms and the severe effects of COVID-19 than the original vaccine. But some people will still get and transmit COVID-19 even if they are vaccinated.

What does it mean to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations?

You have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC based on age, the vaccine you first received and time since the last dose.

Am I still able to get a first dose or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Local health departments, pharmacies and doctor’s offices still offer many opportunities for you to get vaccinated.

Can I get my bivalent COVID-19 booster and my flu shot at the same time?

Yes! Currently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that if a person is eligible, both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same visit, without regard to timing. If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, speak with a health care provider.

Can I receive a bivalent booster if I had a previous Omicron infection? 

Yes, all patients can benefit from bivalent boosters regardless of previous infection.  

Where can I get the bivalent booster?

You can call Fayette County Public Health at 740-335-5910 or visit faycohd.org/events to schedule the booster. You can also visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Fayette County Public Health (FCPH)  has received reports of 53 new COVID cases, one hospitalization, one death, and 68 new recoveries in the past 7 days. At-home tests are now widely available, and those results are not reported to FCPH, so the actual number of new cases is likely higher than reported. For more detailed data, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov and view the COVID dashboard.

COVID Community Risk Level is High

The COVID Community Risk Level in Fayette County remains “high.” The homepage of the FCPH website now features a widget so you can find the current COVID community risk level anytime. The data source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit faycohd.org to view.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions when the community risk level is high.

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Guidelines for quarantine and isolation can be found at: https://bit.ly/cdciq.

COVID vaccinations available for ages 6 months and up

FCPH offers COVID vaccinations for children ages 6 months and up. COVID-19 vaccination can help protect everyone from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines and boosters will be offered on August 30, September 13, 20, and 27. Appointments for COVID or school immunizations can be made by calling 740-335-5910 or visiting faycohd.org/events.

Please bring:

• COVID vaccination record if you have already received at least one dose
• Health insurance card

There is no cost for a COVID vaccine. Patient insurance is billed for a fee to administer the vaccine, but patients will not be billed.  To view more dates, visit faycohd.org/events.

Ashley Roberts, RN, has been promoted to the position of Director of Nursing at Fayette County Public Health (FCPH). Roberts began her career with FCPH in 2014 as a school nurse at Washington Middle School. Since that time she has demonstrated a passion for public service and leadership while wearing many hats at the health department, according to Deputy Health Commissioner Leigh Cannon, MPH.

“Ashley has taken the reigns of several projects at Fayette County Public Health, both planned and unplanned,” Cannon said. “She was instrumental in the development of the Vivitrol program. When the COVID-19 pandemic response began, she led the clinical staff through the response as a member of the COVID strike force. She most recently served as the Workforce Development Coordinator.” Roberts represents FCPH on the Faith in Recovery Coalition and the Drug-Free Communities Program – Prevention Coalition.

Roberts grew up in Fayette County and is a Miami Trace Panther alumni.  Her family includes her husband and two children, three dogs, and lots of farm animals. She is a 4-H advisor for the Fayette Land & Livestock 4-H Club.

“I am very excited to give back to the community I grew up in,” she said. “ I love that Public Health is all about inclusivity and health equity, and it ensures equal access to resources for everyone, regardless of their background.”

In other health department personnel news, Jackie Lewis, M. Ed., has been promoted to Accreditation and Workforce Development Coordinator. Joining Darci Moore, CNP on the Reproductive Health & Wellness team are Erica Dumford, CMA, and Ashley Ruth, RN. Ruth also serves as the Communicable Disease Nurse.

Fayette County Public Health (FCPH)  has received reports of 65 new COVID cases, four new hospitalizations, and 74 new recoveries in the past 7 days. At-home tests are now widely available, and those results are not reported to FCPH, so the actual number of new cases is likely higher than reported. For more detailed data, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov and view the COVID dashboard.

COVID Community Risk Level is High

The COVID Community Risk Level in Fayette County remains “high.” The homepage of the FCPH website now features a widget so you can find the current COVID community risk level anytime. The data source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions when the community risk level is high.

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Guidelines for quarantine and isolation can be found at: https://bit.ly/cdciq.

COVID vaccinations available for ages 6 months and up

FCPH offers COVID vaccinations for children ages 6 months and up. COVID-19 vaccination can help protect everyone from getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines and boosters will be offered on August 23 and 30. Appointments for COVID or school immunizations can be made by calling 740-335-5910 or visiting faycohd.org/events.

Please bring your COVID vaccination record if you have already received at least one dose, and your health insurance card. There is no cost for a COVID vaccine. Patient insurance is billed for a fee to administer the vaccine, but patients will not be billed.