By Taylor Boyd
The West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) is currently advertising for three community health workers positions in Patrick and Henry counties, and the City of Martinsville.
Public information officer Nancy Bell said the purpose of these positions is to have local people help with getting education out to various communities about the safety of the vaccine, and to try and encourage others to take the vaccine.
“It’s my theory that people are tired of me, the government, and the governor telling them what to do. We want people in the community that know their own people who they trust to go into the community and get some of the unvaccinated, vaccinated,” she said.
Bell said the district received $1.5 million for its COVID-19 response due to low vaccination rates.
Requirements to apply for the position include a high school diploma, heart for people, ability to travel, and reliable transportation. The job description is available on the United Way of Henry County & Martinsville Facebook page and on the WPHD website.
Bell said encouraging people to get vaccinated is the top priority of the organization because nonvaccinated people make up most of the COVID-19 cases in the county. Variants also make up roughly about half of the cases in the district.
“At this time, it’s just a matter of folks not being willing or able to get the vaccine. We want to help those who are willing, but not able, anyway we can – with transportation or anything else,” she said.
Bell said this is particularly important because an increase in COVID-19 cases is expected following the Labor Day weekend.
“Anytime people get together in groups, and holidays are a perfect example, it seems like we get a little uptick, sometimes a significant uptick, in cases,” she said.
To help prevent the spread of the virus, Bell said the recommendations of mask wear, social distancing, and extra hygiene precautions are encouraged when people feel the need to gather.
“The vaccine is still the most effective way of thwarting the virus. It’s free, it’s accessible, and it works,” she added.
Bell said the health district is also currently giving people with immunocompromised types of conditions a third Pfizer vaccine. The district plans to start scheduling booster shot appointments by the end of September for those who had their last shot eight months ago. The third vaccine (booster) will be available at local pharmacies, free clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Bell said more people are also getting tested for COVID-19, partially because schools and some companies are requiring tests for students and adults coming out of quarantine, or those who remain unvaccinated.
“Do not go to the hospital, emergency room, or to the health departments. We don’t test. We don’t have the capacity to test,” she said. Instead, visit a pharmacy, doctor, or purchase a self-test kit.
As of September 2, 33.6 percent of the population, or 5,925 people, were fully vaccinated in Patrick County; 38.1 percent of the population received at least one dose, and 39.7 percent of the adult population was fully vaccinated.
In Henry County, 39.6 percent of the population, or 20,028 people, were fully vaccinated; 45.9 percent of the population has received at least one dose, and 47.2 percent of the adult population were fully vaccinated.
As of September 7, 34 percent of the population, or 5,995 people, were fully vaccinated in Patrick County. 38.6 percent of the population has received at least one dose, and 40.1 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
In Henry County, 40.1 percent of the population, or 20,261 people, were fully vaccinated. 46.5 percent of the population has received at least one dose, and 47.6 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
Also on September 7, information from the Virginia Department of Health suggested there are 5,445 cases, with 407 hospitalizations, and 130 deaths in Henry County. In Patrick County, 1,704 cases with 125 hospitalized, and 47 dead from the COVID-19 virus were reported. In the City of Martinsville, 1,807 cases were reported with 180 hospitalized, and 81 dead.
The data also suggests there are 788,917 cases in the state, with 34,312 hospitalized, and 11,947 dead from the COVID-19 virus. Information from the CDC suggested there are 39,831,318 cases in the United States and 644,848 dead from coronavirus.
Data also suggests that as of September 7, 4,894,969 Virginians have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
For more tips on how to stay safe, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
