Covid-19

National Public Health Week promotes health equity

The first week in April is National Public Health week (NPHW) and is dedicated to the people, services, and systems that work tirelessly to promote health in every community across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “strengthening the public health infrastructure in our nation means helping protect people from [...]

CDC updates guidance for respiratory illnesses

On March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Respiratory Virus Guidance to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory viral illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. If you think you have a respiratory virus, stay home and away from others if you are experiencing respiratory [...]

CDC and FDA Support Additional Bivalent COVID-19 Booster for Adults 65 and Older, Immunocompromised

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Highlights include: People 65 years of age and older who have received a single dose of an updated (bivalent) vaccine may receive one additional bivalent dose at least four months after their initial bivalent dose. [...]

Westmont Hilltop School District hosts vaccine clinic for children

Last week, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine was approved for children ages 5 through 11. Shortly after that, the Westmont Hilltop School District announced its plans to host a vaccine clinic with Highlands Health, in collaboration with the Cambria-Somerset Covid Task Force, on Monday, November 8. The clinic was open to Westmont and Ferndale school district [...]

Department of Health to Hold Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Somerset County

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) today announced that a free, outdoor drive-up COVID-19 testing site in Somerset County will be open to anyone who feels they need a test. This testing site was organized in collaboration with the Cambria-Somerset COVID-19 Task Force and the Somerset County Department of Emergency Services, and the site [...]

Portage Area School District builds air filters for classrooms

In an effort to further combat COVID-19 and keep students in the classroom, Portage Area School District superintendent Eric Zelanko purchased enough box fans and filters to make 100 Corsi-Rosenthal Cubes. These inexpensive and effective tools are used to clean the air and have been suggested for use in all classrooms by the Cambria-Somerset COVID-19 [...]

U.S. Senator Casey visits Vaccine Clinic and Community Resource Fair

U.S. Senator Bob Casey visited a Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic and Community Resource Fair at Oakhurst Homes in Johnstown on Friday, May 7th. He recognized Cambria-Somerset Covid Task Force members for their proactive vaccination efforts in the region. The event was coordinated by the Johnstown Housing Authority, Richland Family Health Center, 1889 Jefferson Center for Population [...]

Covid Task Force leads to Somerset & Meyersdale Vaccine Clinics

In an effort to coordinate Covid-19 vaccination roll-out across Cambria and Somerset Counties, representatives from various sectors have come together to form the Cambria/Somerset Covid-19 Task Force. As a result of the Task Force, Mainline Pharmacy, Somerset County, 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, Meyersdale Area School District, and Somerset Area School District are partnering [...]

Rev. Sylvia King addresses Covid Vaccine Hesitancy: “This is not a test”

Recently, we had the chance to talk with Rev. Sylvia King of Christ Centered Community Church in Johnstown, PA about the personal impact of her Covid-19 diagnosis and the reluctance among some African Americans to get the Covid vaccine. Understanding vaccine hesitancy among African Americans means understanding the history of medical experimentation in the U.S. [...]

Covid Task Force leads to more affordable housing resident vaccinations

In a continued effort to coordinate Covid-19 vaccination distribution to vulnerable and low-income populations, members of the Cambria/Somerset Covid-19 Task Force have partnered to vaccinate 1a-eligible residents of the Garden Terrace Apartments (730 Bloom St) and Loughner Plaza (51 Akers St) on Thursday, March 18th. Task Force partners include the Richland Family Health Center (RFHC), [...]

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