Gwinnett Cares is hosting a must-see online healthcare summit designed to help the Gwinnett community coexist with COVID-19 on November 18 at 8 a.m. Get fact-based information from top healthcare experts and connect to real-time resources available across Gwinnett.

Learn what we know about the virus to date, top concerns and what to expect when a vaccine becomes available from Dr. Clifford McDonald, the Center for Disease Control’s Senior Advisor for Science & Integrity.

Dr. Audrey Arona, District Health Director for Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, will give a community based update and provide the latest prevention and mitigation efforts and testing information. She will also discuss preparations for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, vaccination planning and the health department’s healthcare concerns for the months ahead.

You will learn about COVID fatigue and how to stay mentally and emotionally healthy during these difficult times from Jennifer Hibbard, View Point Health CEO. You will also be briefed on the state of mental healthcare in Gwinnett and receive helpful tips on how to coexist with COVID responsibly and advice on what to do if you or someone in your family is in crisis.

Experts from Navigate Recovery will provide helpful tips and resources specifically for those in our community coping with addition. You will hear a powerful personal testimony from a family that has been directly impacted by COVID -19 to help remind us all why it is so important to remain vigilant in our prevention efforts.

This healthcare summit will occur online via Zoom and Facebook Live. The Zoom link will be shared with registered participants a few days before the event. Event can be viewed on Facebook @GwinnettCares.org.

Register today at https://bit.ly/3okC8Y8. It’s free and open to everyone to attend.

Our offices and health centers will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in observance of Veterans Day. We will resume regular business hours Thursday, November 12.

Our COVID-19 test sites will also be closed. If you need COVID-19 testing on Wednesday, please check the availability testing with our partners at CORE locations.

Buford, Lawrenceville and Norcross health centers, Gwinnett environmental health and the Health Department district offices are closing early Friday, October 30 for staff development:

Buford health center
Closing at 10:30 a.m.

Lawrenceville health center
Closing at 11:00 a.m.

Norcross health center
Closing at 11:00 a.m.

Gwinnett environmental health
Closing at 11:00 a.m.

District offices
Closing at 11:00 a.m.

These facilities will reopen for all services Monday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m.

Newton and Rockdale health center and services remain open regular hours Friday.

Due to the tropical storm warning in our area, all health centers will delay opening until 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 29.

Early Voting Flu Clinic in Lawrenceville is cancelled.

Early Voting Flu Clinic at Lucky Shoals will open at 10:30 a.m.

COVID-19 testing is cancelled at all locations.

Be sure to check our website periodically for any updates.

This is a Halloween like no other! Consideration for COVID-19 illness makes planning and participating in holiday traditions different than we are accustomed to.

While planning your Halloween festivities, the Health Department recommends you take these precautions to help keep you and your loved ones safe:

• Wear a cloth mask (not a costume mask)
• Stay at least 6 feet from others
• Keep your group small
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer

Everyone at the Health Department wishes you a happy, healthy Halloween this year. If we all work together, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Great news! Norcross Health Center is reopening for all services on Wednesday, October 21 with a few changes due to COVID-19.

Visitors to the health center can expect the following changes:

• Visitors over the age of two should wear a face covering.
• All visitors should practice social distancing.
• Appointments are required to receive some services.

Services requiring an appointment:
Give us a call to schedule.
Family planning
STD screening
Travel immunizations
Pregnancy Medicaid applications
Newborn hearing screenings

Walk-in services available without an appointment:
Regular immunizations for children
Regular immunizations for adults
School screenings for hearing, dental, vision and nutrition
Lab services

Making an appointment is easy! You will find the Norcross Health Center phone number on our location page. Give us a call to schedule services requiring an appointment today. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Buford Health Center remains temporarily closed due to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. WIC services are still available at this location. Individuals seeking clinic or health services from Buford Health Center should visit Lawrenceville Health Center or Norcross Health Center.

They say defense is the best offense, so score one against the flu this season by taking the shot … the flu shot. It’s more important than ever as our communities continue to work on preventing the spread of COVID-19. The flu vaccine can limit your risk of serious complications from the flu, like hospitalization or even death. The flu shot is a yearly vaccine, so even if you have had the shot before, you should get immunized every year.

Available Now at our Health Centers
Flu shots are now available at all health department locations (except Buford Health Center — currently closed) as well as other places in the community, like doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and urgent cares. Most insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot, so it’s free to you. If you don’t have insurance or if your plan doesn’t cover the vaccine, the health department has low-cost options available.

Types of Flu Shots
There are two different vaccines available: quadrivalent standard dose and quadrivalent high-dose. Most children and adults will get the standard dose, which provides adequate coverage all flu season. Individuals over 65 should opt for the high-dose, which can give older adults a better immune response. For people under 49, nasal mist–administered as a spray in the nasal passage rather than by needle in the arm–is also an option; however, not all providers carry this version of the vaccine.

It takes about two weeks for your body to build immunity from the vaccine, so take the shot as early as you can.

Upcoming Off-Site Flu Shot Opportunities

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Friday, Oct. 30, every weekday, the Health Department will be at the Gwinnett Elections Office in Lawrenceville offering flu vaccine for those participating in advanced voting. For all other advanced voting locations, the Health Department is working on scheduling at least one day at each location and at least three days for advanced voting at Lenora Park, George Pierce Park, and the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Vaccines provided at early voting are at no cost to individuals with insurance. Billing insurance will not result in a charge for the individual.

On Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9am – 3pm, we will host a family focused flu clinic at our Norcross Health Center at 5030 Georgia Belle Ct Norcross, GA 30093.   This opportunity is open all ages, with a focus on school age children and their parents. Appointments are required. Make an appointment today.

On Monday, Oct. 19 from 9am – 3pm, we will host a drive-through flu clinic at the Lilburn Activity Building located at 788 Hillcrest Drive NW, Lilburn, GA 30047. Appointments are required. Make an appointment today.

Download our posters and share on social media, at work, etc. (Download in Spanish.)

Due to the possibility of severe weather, CORE COVID-19 testing is cancelled for Thursday, September 17. Health Department testing is cancelled for Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18 . To learn about testing locations and dates, visit www.gnrhealth.com/covid-19-info.

National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

The 2020 NPM theme is: “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”

Week 1 September 1-5: Make A Plan

Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.

Week 2 September 6-12: Build A Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3 September 13-19: Prepare for Disasters

Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.

Week 4 September 20-26: Teach Youth About Preparedness

Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

Visit www.ready.gov/september to learn more about this important week, where to download preparedness publications and the FEMA app, and how to sign up for text alerts.

All month long, the Health Department will be posting tips to help your household become a prepared household. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today.

Beginning Monday, August 3, our Buford and Norcross Health Centers will halt all clinical services until further notices so our staff can support the COVID-19 pandemic response.

WIC services will continue to be offered at these locations Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.  

For clients that need clinical services, the Lawrenceville Health Center will still continue to operate. Please contact them at 770.339.4283 or visit 455 Grayson Hwy, Suite 300, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

We appreciate our clients and look forward to serving you at these locations in the future.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or testing, please visit www.gnrhealth.com/covid-19-info.