GCHD named COVID-19 vaccine hub provider - Galveston ...
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January 2021
GCHD named COVID-19 vaccine hub provider
Galveston County Health District earlier this month
was named a COVID-19 vaccine hub provider by the
State of Texas. As of this week, the health district has re-
ceived and administered roughly 2,600 vaccine doses to
those who qualify under Phases 1A and 1B of the state’s
vaccination plan.
The health district is also partnering with UTMB Health
- also a designated vaccine hub provider - and Galveston
County to vaccinate as many individuals, as quickly as
possible, who meet the state’s vaccination criteria.
On Jan. 23, all three partnered to open the county’s
first drive-through vaccination event at Walter Hall Park
in League City. The first of many, the event ran smoothly
with more than 700 vaccines administered that day.
For more information on vaccine availability and future
appointments, please visit www.gchd.org/covidvaccine.
COVID-19 cases holding steady in county
COVID-19 cases in Galveston County are holding steady Now is not the time to let down our guard. Please continue
with nearly 8,000 active cases as of the Tuesday, Jan. 26 to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19:
report, the highest number of active cases reported by the • Stay home if you are sick
health district to date. • Wear a face covering in public spaces
While the number of new cases has dropped some in re- • Stay at least 6 feet from other people
cent days, the county has continued to report double-digit • Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at
positivity rates for the past month, reaching 20 percent in least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an
mid-December. alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
As of Tuesday, there were 7,983 active cases, more than • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed
two times the 3,547 active cases reported one month ago. hands.
There have been a total of 25,863 COVID-19 cases reported • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw
since March. the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough
There have been 291,344 total tests administered through and sneeze in your elbow. Do not cough and sneeze in your
Tuesday’s report. There are 232 deaths.
It is up to each of us to slow the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 page 2
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 1
COVID-19 hands. fer free COVID-19 testing for county residents. Galveston • Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces us- County residents may call 832.632.6731 to make an ap- ing a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. pointment. A government issued form of identification will Epidemiology and Public Health Emergency Pre- be required at the time of testing to verify residency. paredness (PHEP) staff continue to investigate cases of Residents are also encouraged to contact their prima- COVID-19 and conduct contact tracing. ry care physician for COVID-19 testing if they have come The school taskforce continues to work with schools in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or are offering recommendations and assisting in identifying experiencing symptoms including cough, shortness of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts. There were breath, difficulty breathing or at least two of the following several school COVID-19 outbreaks in January. From Dec. symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, mus- 2, 2020 - Jan. 19, 2021, there have been roughly 1,411 cle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or COVID-19 cases tied to students or school district employ- smell. ees. Those who do not have a primary care provider and want Testing remains one of our best weapons against to establish care through Coastal Health & Wellness can COVID-19 and knowing if you are infected or not allows call 409.938.2234. you to take the steps needed to protect your family and For more information on COVID-19, please visit gchd. friends. org/coronavirus or contact the health district’s information Galveston County continues to partner with UTMB to of- line at 409.938.7221, open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 2
COVID-19 vaccines arrive at health district
As 2020 came to a close, the
first 200 doses of the Mod-
erna COVID-19 vaccine ar-
rived at the Galveston Coun-
ty Health District. In addition
to vaccinating Coastal Health
& Wellness frontline health
care workers, the health dis-
trict vaccinated about 100
members of the public that
same week. Since then, the
health district has vaccinated
more than 2,600 members of
the public who fall in Phases
1A and 1B of the state’s vac-
cination plan.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 3
Grapefruit Yogurt Cake
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons grated grapefruit zest
1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup canola oil
Glaze
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons grapefruit juice
Grapefruit wheels and fresh mint
leaves, optional
Fresh mint leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together flour, baking grapefruit juice to reach desired consistency; drizzle
powder and salt. Combine next seven ingredients. glaze over top, allowing some to flow over sides.
Gradually stir flour mixture into yogurt mixture, then Top cake with grapefruit and mint if desired.
pour into a 9-in. round baking pan coated with cooking Freeze option: Omit glaze. Securely wrap cooled
spray. cake in plastic and foil; freeze. To use, thaw at room
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake temperature. Prepare glaze; top as directed.
comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool. Any citrus works well in this cake. If grapefruit isn’t
For glaze, mix confectioners’ sugar with enough your thing, use lemon, orange or lime.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 4
GCHD names Employee of the Month
Congratulations, Hope Jensen, on being
named the December Employee of the Month!
Hope, who works in GAAA, was nominated
for her dedication to her job, GCHD and the
residents of Galveston County.
“Hope has been with GAAA for around 3
years and has been rapidly promoted within
the organization. She executes her responsi-
bilities with style and grace, impressing us with
her leadership skills, work ethics, integrity, and
her compassion for patients, the public, and
most of all her crew members.
She has gone up, over, and beyond her call
of duty and job description effortlessly. It is an
honor to work and serve with Hope! She is
genuinely a GAAA gem!”
Congratulations, Hope, and thank you for
going above and beyond to benefit the district. Hope Jensen
Congratulations to our
Vital Statistics team!
Congratulations to our Vital Statistics
department for being awarded the Five
Star Exemplary Service Award from the
Texas Department of State Health Ser-
vices.
This marks the 19th year the depart-
ment has been recognized for going
above and beyond!
This annual award recognizes vital
statistics partners who exceed stan-
Pictured are Business Center Specialist Xochilt Alvarado, Business Center dards in training, proper record man-
Specialist Lindsay Durant, Business Center Specialist - Team Leader Abby agement, customer service and keep-
Amaro and Local Registrar/ Business Center Manager Alma Garcia. ing up with legislation and trends.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 5
ARC to host low-cost pet vaccine clinics Feb. 12, 13
The Galveston County Animal Resource Center (ARC)
is happy to host two low-cost pet vaccination clinics on
Friday, Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 13, noon-3
p.m.
Both clinics are open to residents of any city and will
include pet microchipping and county registration.
Please note, appointments are preferred. Walk-ins will
be managed, if time allows. Masks are required to enter
the building.
Low-cost vaccinations, flea control and heartworm test-
ing and treatment services through ARC range from $15
for a rabies vaccine for both dogs and cats to $60 for the
dog package and $45 for the cat package.
Specific pricing is online at www.gchd.org/arc. Micro-
chips are available for all cats and dogs, regardless of
jurisdiction, for just $20 each.
County regulation requires pet owners who live in the
municipalities served by the ARC (Bayou Vista, Hitchcock,
Kemah, La Marque, Texas City, Tiki Island and unincor-
porated Galveston County) to register their pets. There is
no registration fee for pets that are already microchipped.
Registration for pets that are not microchipped is $20 and 25th Avenue North (Loop 197 North) in Texas City from
includes a microchip. The fee is $15 for pet owners age 1-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 and noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb.
65 and older. 13. Cash, check and major credit cards are accepted.
Both clinics will take place at the ARC, located at 3412 For more information call 409-948-2485.
CHS staff donates to
Angel Tree program
Galveston County Health District’s Commu-
nity Health Services employees adopted four
children for Christmas through the Salvation
Army Angel Tree program back in October.
They were able to provide gifts to the chil-
dren’s families, which included a bike, tram-
poline, scooter, clothes, dolls, toys, coats and
more!
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 6
Healthy lifestyle helps lower risk of heart disease
Some might believe heart disease is only a problem for heart disease, and its complications. Fresh fruits, vegeta-
older adults. But, that’s not the case. In fact, conditions bles and foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, carbohy-
that lead to heart disease are developing at a younger drates and cholesterol can help in the fight against heart
age. disease. Most Americans
February marks eat far too much salt, which
American Heart increases blood pressure.
Month, the perfect Reduce the amount of salt
time to learn about you consume by choosing
risk factors and low sodium options. Limit
steps to take care sugar, which can increase
of your heart. blood sugar levels by re-
Americans, placing sugary drinks like
ages 35-64, are at soda and juices with water
risk for heart dis- or low-sugar alternatives.
ease earlier in life Get active
due to high rates Only one in five adults
in obesity and meets the Surgeon Gen-
high blood pres- eral’s physical guidelines
sure, according of getting at least 150 min-
to the Centers for utes of moderate-intensity
Disease Control activity a week. Aim for
and Prevention 30 minutes each day. You
(CDC). can even break up those
The top three 30 minutes into 10-minute
risk factors for blocks to better fit move-
heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol ment in your schedule.
and smoking or tobacco use and half of all Americans A 10-minute walk can promote heart health, improve
have at least one of those risk factors. Heart disease is brain function, ease depression and help you breathe
the leading cause of death for both men and women. easier. Plus, a shot of endorphins can help you get
Millions of Americans suffer from high blood pressure through your day.
– one of the biggest risks for heart disease and stroke – Staying active helps you keep your heart and blood
and roughly half of those don’t have it under control. High vessels healthy, maintain a healthy weight and lower your
cholesterol may also increase the risk for heart disease. blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels. More than
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in one in three Americans – and one in six children ages
the United States, according to the CDC. More than 37 2-19 – are considered obese. Extra weight puts stress
million U.S. adults are current smokers and thousands on your heart.
of young people start smoking each day. Smoking also Take charge
damages blood vessels and can cause heart disease. Take charge of your health. Work with your doctor and
The good news is you’re in control. You’re in charge of health care team to manage conditions that could contrib-
your health and healthy lifestyle changes can help lower ute to a higher risk of heart disease. This includes high
your risk for developing heart disease. blood pressure and high cholesterol. Take medicines as
Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important prescribed and learn more about preventing and manag-
for people who already have heart disease. ing high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Adopt healthy eating habits If you don’t smoke, keep it that way. If you do, speak to
Healthy meals and snack options can help you avoid your doctor about the best way to quit.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 7
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 8
Register now at
ittcommunitychallenge.com
Register now at
ittcommunitychallenge.com
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 9
February
highlights
importance of
spay, neuter
February is Spay/ Neuter
Awareness Month. Did you
know spaying and neutering
your dogs and cats can in-
crease their lifespan and re-
duce aggression, along with so
many other benefits?
Be part of the solution to pet
overpopulation by spaying and
neutering your pets.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 10ARC has a lot to be thankful for
Bruce and Jolie enjoyed
their time at the Christ-
mas Alley Holiday Market
in Kemah and even got
a chance to take a photo
with Santa Claus. Want
to know more about other
animals waiting to be ad-
Thank you to the Santa Fe Lone Star 4H group for their opted at the ARC? Check
generous donations to the Galveston County Animal out www.petharbor.com.
Resource Center. 4H member Laine and his father, pic-
tured above, did the honors of organizing and delivering
the donated items.
Thanks to generous donors and vol-
unteers, the adorable dogs and cats
over at Galveston County Animal Re-
source Center enjoyed a mouthwater-
ing holiday meal today. They feasted
on boneless and skinless turkey,
green beans and pumpkin, and boy,
did they enjoy it.
www.gchd.org @GCHDinfo Page 11You can also read
