GCHD Follows New COVID-19 Guideline Update
Galveston County Health District (GCHD) no longer recommends a 5-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19. The recommendation comes following the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines issued March 1, 2024. Effective immediately, COVID-19 will be treated as a respiratory virus like flu.
On March 11, 2024, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) updated its notifiable disease list, officially removing COVID-19 from mandatory reporting requirements.
While still posing a significant health threat to those at higher risk, COVID-19 health impacts are now increasingly similar to other respiratory viruses, like flu, which are also important causes of illness and death, especially for people at higher risk. It is important to note that COVID-19 guidelines may vary depending on settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
The CDC recommends that individuals implement core prevention strategies to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses. These strategies include staying current with your COVID-19 vaccines, practicing good hygiene and proper handwashing,
taking steps for cleaner air by opening windows, and staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms better explained by another cause.
The CDC also recommends that wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others. Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of COVID-19.
Testing for COVID-19 can help you decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and lowering your chances of spreading the virus to others.
Dr. Keiser, GCHD CEO, and Galveston County Local Health Authority, said, “Regardless of which respiratory virus you have, you should stay home if you are sick. And for people at risk, it’s most important to keep up to date with your vaccines.”
Vaccines remain important for the prevention of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Vaccines are available at the Galveston County Health District Immunizations Clinic, 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite B-104, in Texas City from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Walk-ins are welcome and insurance is not
required. Our Immunization Services division protects the health and well-being of our community by providing children and adults with protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Staff collects donations for those displaced by Del Sol Apartment fires
GCHD and CHW staff came together to collect and donate to the families displaced by the Del Sol Apartment fires. Thank you to all who donated. Your kindness and generosity are truly inspiring, and you're making a huge difference in the lives of those affected.
Meet Lisa Cashiola, MSN, FNP-BC
Meet Lisa Cashiola, MSN, FNP-BC. Lisa is a Family Nurse Practitioner for Coastal Health & Wellness, a Community Health Center under GCHD. She joined the CHW team two years ago. Lisa has 23 years of experience as a registered nurse and has been a nurse practitioner for eight years. She previously worked in urgent care, family practice, women’s care, and transplant and critical care.
Where are you from?
"Houston, but right now I am in Jamaica Beach."
What is your favorite part of your job?
"Getting to know my patients and establishing a trusting and comfortable rapport with them."
What is one fun fact about you?
"I like to Jet Ski!"
If you were an action figure, what two accessories would you come with?
"Super speed like the Flash and a shield like Wonder Woman."
"We are here and available for all women's health care. We want to serve the community at our clinics, and provide personalized top notch care!"
National Employee Appreciation Day
Employee Appreciation Day was held on March 1. We celebrate and express our deepest gratitude to each and every member of our incredible organization. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment continue to drive our success forward. Thank you for your passion, creativity, and resilience. Together, we make a difference, and we couldn't be more proud of the amazing team we have. Here's to you, our exceptional employees!
CHW celebrates National Dentist's Day 2024
Coastal Health & Wellness celebrated National Dentist's Day on March 6.
Thank you to our dedicated CHW dentists: Casey Tatsch, DDS; Unsil Keiser, DDS; Shady Bishai, DDS; Dental Director Hanna Lindskog, DDS; and Suma Shetty, DDS.
To tell the tooth, you’re all awesome!
CHW celebrates Dental Assistants Recognition Week, March 3-9
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Coastal Health & Wellness celebrated its amazing dental assistants during Dental Assistant’s Recognition Week, March 3-9.
Thank you Carolina Urbina, Gabriella Trevino, Shelby Salazar, Joaquin Hernandez, Shonta Hill, Seka Robinson, Arleth Juarez, Kirsten Saddler, Beatriz Soliz, and Erica Dickey (not pictured) for the amazing work you do.
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Are you at risk for developing diabetes?
Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Roughly 96 million people (that’s more than one in three adults) have prediabetes, but most don’t even know it. Risk factors include being overweight, family history, being physically inactive and being 45 and older.
You can have prediabetes for years and have no symptoms. That’s why it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting your blood glucose levels tested and work with them to adopt healthy lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.
Take this one-minute test to learn if you’re at high risk for prediabetes.
CHW clinics closed March 29-31
Coastal Health & Wellness clinics will be closed Friday, March 29- Sunday, March 31 in observance of the Easter holiday. Clinics will reopen Monday, April 1.
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