ABOUT US
The Portsmouth Health Department’s Communicable Disease program works to lower the chance of illness and death from infectious diseases in the community. Our staff consists of trained physicians, nurses, and epidemiologists. This department receives reports of communicable diseases from local physicians, hospitals, clinics. and laboratories. These reports are investigated to prevent and contain the spread of diseases and monitor trends.
Communicable disease services include:
- Collecting and analyzing data on reportable diseases.
- Performing surveillance for communicable diseases and illnesses of public health significance.
- Providing counseling and education to clients with reportable diseases.
- Investigating outbreaks of disease in the community.
- Partnering with schools and childcare programs to encourage communicable disease prevention and surveillance.
- Acting as the liaison between medical providers and the Virginia Department of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) when certain laboratory testing is required.
Resources
Virginia Reportable Disease List
Regulations for Disease Reporting and Control
To report a disease, visit the Confidential Morbidity Report Portal
Contact Information:
| Monday-Friday, 8AM – 4:30PM | Nights, weekends, and holidays | |
| Michelle Winz Office: 757-393-8585 x8701 Cell: 757-435-3280 Fax: 757-393-5120 |
Jacqueline Williams Office: 757-393-8585 x8718 Cell: 757-840-0488 Fax: 757-393-8027 |
After Hours/Weekends: 866-531-3068 |
COVID-19
On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared the end of the global COVID-19 public health emergency. On May 11, 2023, the U.S. COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration expired. With the emergency phase over, efforts shifted from emergency response to managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic alongside other infectious diseases.
While the emergency response has ended, there are no changes to the way we can protect ourselves from COVID-19. You still can slow the spread using layered strategies. No single strategy is perfect at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Use as many multiple (overlapping) layers of protection as you can–stay up-to-date with vaccines, get tested, and stay home when you’re sick.
The public health response to COVID-19 is ever changing, so it is important to stay informed with accurate information. Below are various resources related to COVID-19.
| COVID-19 in Virginia | Learn more about COVID-19 in Virginia. Explore resources, information, and current guidance all in one place. |
| COVID-19 Data Dashboard | Want to see the numbers? Check out the latest COVID-19 data in Virginia. |
| Portsmouth Positive COVID-19 Reporting Portal | Individuals who live, work, or have been exposed to COVID-19 in Portsmouth can report at-home test results. Additionally, community members can request a call from the Portsmouth Health Department’s COVID-19 Response Team for information or guidance. Reporting is completely voluntary. |
| K-12 School Information | The health department is committed to the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in K-12 schools and childcare programs. This page contains guidance on COVID-19 as well as other resources for school and childcare officials, parents and guardians, and the entire school and childcare community.
The Portsmouth Health Department has also created the below resources specifically for our daycare facilities and their parents. Facility resources: Parent resources:
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| Test Kit Requests | Do you need an at-home COVID-19 test kit? Call us today at (757) 393-8585 x8757 and provide your name, return call number, and let us know that you need an at-home test kit. |