Communities across the nation are coming together April 5-11, 2021 to celebrate and support public health during the 2021 National Public Health Week observance. Numerous events focusing on this year’s theme of “Building Bridges to Better Health” are being implemented nationwide with guidance from the American Public Health Association. Pitt County Health Department employees will join in this celebration and will participate in local activities promoting multiple public health messages to the community throughout the entire month of April.
The Health Department kicked off this week with the launch of the Say Yes! COVID Test At-Home Testing Challenge, which provides residents of Greenville and Pitt County access to free, rapid COVID-19 tests that they can self-administer in the comfort of their home. Say Yes! COVID Test encourages Greenville–Pitt County residents to use the tests three times a week, regardless of symptoms, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep the community healthy. Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the Health Department will hold a Say Yes! COVID Test distribution event to provide the first allotment of 100 test kits to the Greenville-Pitt County community. Residents can obtain a test kit during this week’s kick off by stopping by the Say Yes! COVID Test tent located in the front of the Health Department (201 Government Circle, Greenville) between 1:00pm – 4:00pm. The tests will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Only one (1) test kit will be given per household. Each kit contains enough tests for two household members to self-test for COVID-19 three times per week for one month. Following Wednesday’s event, the Health Department will distribute test kits Monday – Friday, excluding holidays from 9:00am – 4:00pm, as supplies are replenished.
Other Events Include:
COVID-19 Vaccine for Everyone Age 18 Years and Older: The Health Department will continue to offer the COVID-19 vaccine Monday-Friday by appointment and will expand the vaccine availability to all individuals age 18 and older beginning April 7, 2021.
Documentary: A documentary, produced by the Pitt County Public Information Office, will be shared beginning in mid-April and will parallel the community’s response to the Polio virus in the 1950s to today’s COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Media Messaging: Throughout the month of April, Public Health messages related to National Public Health Week will be shared via the Health Department’s Facebook Page @PittCountyHealthDepartment
Public Health Employee Appreciation: Employees will be honored for their contributions to protecting, promoting and assuring the health of all people in Pitt County. “This is an opportunity to show appreciation to our weary staff after a year of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and to celebrate the work that has been done to help mitigate this virus,” says Dr. John L. Silvernail, Pitt County Health Director.
For more information regarding Pitt County’s 2021 Public Health Week celebration, contact Amy Hattem at amy.hattem@pittcountync.gov.