1/3/23 – Partially restored utilities still remain the cause for Knox Public Health to continue their closure at 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd. through Wednesday (1/4). Health Commissioner Zach Green is hopeful to have the building back open to the public on Thursday (1/5).
The health department and the Community Health Center located inside the Upper Gilchrist location have been closed since Dec. 27 due a waterline break inside the building over the Christmas weekend.
Green indicated that despite the week-long restoration and scheduled holiday closures, the agency has been able to maintain many essential services by utilizing satellite locations of the Community Health Center. Medical appointments including immunizations were moved to Moore Family Practice. Mental health counselors were able to meet with patients using telehealth.
Phone, voicemail and email systems have continued to be operational which enabled many staff to work remotely scheduling appointments, providing information and communicating with the public. A commonly requested service has been birth and death certificates. Both official documents can be requested and paid for online at KnoxHealth.com. If a birth certificate is needed same-day, individuals may request printed copies from any health department in the state as long as they were born in Ohio.
The WIC office at 809 Coshocton Ave., other Health Center locations including dental and medical offices in Danville and the Walk-In Clinic have remained fully operational during the Upper Gilchrist facility closure.
Per Green, the Upper Gilchrist facility is expected to re-open Thursday (1/5).