Please see our Resource Guide for a full list of resources to help older adults. All information is subject to change.
Latest Information
Omicron Variant
December 7, 2021 From the Virginia Department of Health
Omicron The United States designated Omicron a Variant of Concern on December 1, 2021, after the first confirmed case of Omicron was detected in the United States. Although the Omicron variant has been detected in 18 states, so far it has not been identified in Virginia. The current threat to the United States remains the Delta variant. Does Omicron spread quicker than the Delta variant? Omicron likely spreads more easily (faster) than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus but we do not know how it spreads compared to Delta. Does Omicron cause severe illness? We need more data to answer this question. So far the disease appears mild, but we have been tracking Omicron for less than two weeks.
Do vaccines work against the Omicron variant? The vaccines available in the United States are expected to prevent against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines remain a critical component to prevent illness.
Will current treatments work against Omicron? Common treatments used to suppress the overreaction of the immune system in persons severely sick will still be effective. Other treatments (monoclonal antibodies) may not be effective against Omicron. The best strategy is prevention. The CDC now recommends all individuals over the age of 18 to get a booster dose to help protect themselves from COVID-19.
Public health recommendations to control the spread of COVID-19 work for all variants: stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, wear your mask indoors, and get vaccinated or boosted.
Libraries to Distribute Free at Home COVID-19 Test Kits
December 7, 2021 From the Virginia Department of Health:
Fauquier Public and Orange County Public Libraries are partnering with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to distribute COVID-19 Antigen at-home test kits at no cost. Individuals can pick up a virtually-guided Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Card Home Test from the library, use it in the privacy of their home and receive digital test results in 15 minutes. The program is designed to increase access to COVID-19 testing, especially among rural, remote, under-resourced communities, and other vulnerable populations.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov Federal website with the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 including safety guidelines, vaccine information, response to the virus, and informational articles on related subject matter. Virginia Department of Health www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine For COVID-19 info & vaccine info. Virginia Department of Heath vaccination sign-up vaccinate.virginia.gov/ (877) 829-4682 Official Virginia state site to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. If you don’t have WiFi, or need help call the phone number above.
Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department COVID Hotline 540-316-6302 (24/7) askrrhd@vdh.virginia.gov VA COPES Warmline (COPES = compassionate, optimistic, person-centered, empowering support) www.vacopes.com 877-349-6428 Provides peer support available to all Virginia residents who may be struggling to cope with the effects and circumstances such as isolation, fear, grief and anxiety around COVID 19. NOT an emergency or suicide hotline. Spanish available.
Vaccination Information
Where to get the covid-19 vaccine
The Virginia Department of Health has the most updated information on the COVID-19 vaccine and has a search tool for where to get it. Click the button below and enter your address to find locations near you.
You can get a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card through the Virginia Department of Health. You will need to enter your first and last name, birthdate and zip code. They will send you a verification code to your cell phone (you can also request a voice call). Enter the verification code where directed and your record will upload. You can save the pdf or print it. If you receive additional vaccinations after, you will need to go through the same process again to see the updates.
Please call ahead as many sites have varying hours, require an appointment, or a doctor request.
December 7, 2021 update: Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing at the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department
Free drive-thru COVIV-19 testing is available to the public on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 4-7 PM at the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department located at 19601 Church Road, Brandy Station, VA. The parking lot will open at 3 PM and the first 300 individuals will be tested. This event will occur rain or shine and individuals do not need to have symptoms to be tested.
Individuals will receive their test results within 2-3 days. Patients will receive instructions on how to receive results at the event.
Culpeper County
The Free Clinic of Culpeper 610 Laurel Street, Culpeper 540-829-5032 MedExpress Urgent Care 1420 S. Main Street, Culepeper 540-825-2202 Walgreens 15250Montanus Drive, Culepeper 800-925-4733 Wellspring Health Services 5237 creativity Drive, Culpeper 540-321-4281 UVA Primary Care Culpeper Family Practice 1200 Sunset Lane, Suite #2210, Culpeper 540-825-6100
Fauquier County
Fauquier Free Clinic 35 Rock Pointe Ln, Warrenton 540-347-0394 Piedmont Urgent Care Fauquier 493 Blackwell Road, #101B , Warrenton 540-347-5200
Madison county
Madison Free Clinic 410 N. Main Street, Madison 540-948-3667
Orange county
CVS Health 308 Radney Road, Orange 540-672-0827 (Orange Free Clinic does NOT offer COVID-19 testing.)
Other Useful Resources
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.
How to Apply: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available.
If you use a relay service, such as your videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide your specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact you, and you should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number. For more information, please go to: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
PLEASE NOTE FROM THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTOIN BUREAU: Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:
FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit.
Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.
If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
COVIDWISE - App to find out if you've been exposed to covid-19
COVIDWISE is Virginia’s official Exposure Notifications app that lets you know if you’ve likely been exposed to another COVIDWISE user with a positive COVID-19 test result. For information about the COVIDWISE App: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/
Covid-19 resources from the virginia department for the deaf and hard of hearing
