RPS superintendent’s chief of staff resigns

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In his daily digital communication addressed to the division, RPS Direct, Mr. Kamras announced Ms. Hudacsko’s departure on Tuesday. “Michelle is quite simply one of the most impressive people I have ever met,” he said. “We have worked together for 12 years and I’m still constantly amazed by her work ethic, intellect,

Free COVID-19 vaccines

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205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites, or go online at vax. rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free vaccines for COVID-19 and more at the following locations:

• Thursday, March 2, 2 to 4 p.m. - Cary Street, 400 E. Cary St., Primary Moderna shots for age 6 months to 5 years and 12 years and older, and bivalent boosters for age 6 years and older, Primary Pfizer shots for age 6 months and older, bivalent boosters for age 5 years and older, Novavax primary shots for age 12 and older, and boosters for age 18 and older, flu shots and baby bivalent boosters, walk-ups welcome but appointments encouraged.

• Wednesday, March 8, 10 a.m. to noon - Henrico West Health Department, 8600 Dixon Powers Dr., JYNNEOS; 2 to 4 p.m. - Primary Moderna shots for age 6 months to 5 years and 12 years and older, and bivalent boosters for age 6 years and older, Primary Pfizer shots for age 6 months and older, bivalent boosters for age 5 years and older, Novavax primary shots for age 12 and older, and boosters for age 18 and older, and baby bivalent boosters. Walk-ups welcome but appointments encouraged.

People can schedule an appointment online at vase.vdh. virginia.gov, vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received.

RHHD also offers at-home vaccinations by calling (804) 205-3501 to schedule appointments.

New COVID-19 boosters, updated to better protect against the latest variants of the virus, are now available. The new Pfizer booster is approved for those age 12 and up, while the new Moderna booster is for those age 18 and older.

As with previous COVID-19 boosters, the new doses can only be received after an initial two vaccine shots, and those who qualify are instructed to wait at least two months after their second COVID-19 vaccine.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are now offering bivalent Pfizer and Moderna boosters to children between the ages of 5 and 11 in clinics in the near future. Children in this age range will be eligible after at least two months since their last vaccine dose.

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia fell 20 percent during the last week, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health, while data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association showed hospitalizations statewide dropped 15 percent since last week.

Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico County remain at medium levels of community COVID-19. No localities in Virginia are ranked at high community COVID levels, while 30 were ranked at medium as of last week.

A total of 607 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide Tuesday for the 24-hour period, contributing to an overall state total of 2,267,639 cases in Virginia since the pandemic’s outbreak. As of Tuesday, there have been 458,668 hospitalizations and 23,428 deaths reported statewide.

State data also shows that African-Americans comprised 22.1 percent of cases statewide and 22 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 10.1 percent of cases and 4 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Tuesday, March 1, thoughtfulness, dedication, empathy and humanity.”

He said Ms. Hudacsko will be remembered for the “thousands and thousands of so-called little things” she did for people. “She showed us all what it truly means to #ServeWithLove.”

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms. Hudacsko worked as the deputy chief for Washington, D.C., Public Schools with Mr. Kamras before joining RPS with him. She began her career working for several years as a schoolteacher in Weslaco, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Potomac, Md. before working for a couple of nonprofit organizations focused on education.

Ms. Hudacsko is one of several members to leave Mr. Kamras’s cabinet since the start of his administration. Others have included Tracy Epp, former chief academic officer; Alan Gonzalez, former chief operations officer; Darin Simmons Jr., former chief operating officer; two chief talent officers, Jennifer Bramble and Sandra Lee; and Harry Hughes, former chief schools officer. Various reasons were given for their departures, ranging from a taxing commute schedule to medical reasons.

With Ms. Hudacsko’s departure, Shadae Harris, chief engagement officer for RPS, is the only original cabinet member who remains in Mr. Kamras’ administration.