North GA – Beginning immediately, MAKO Medical drive-thru COVID-19 test sites in Dalton and Woodstock will no longer operate on Saturdays; however, both sites will continue operating each Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Anyone, regardless of their vaccination status, who has COVID-19 type symptoms or has been in recent close contact to a person infected with the virus should get tested.

The MAKO Medical COVID-19 test site address in Dalton is Pleasant Grove Park, 1732 Pleasant Grove Drive, N.E., Dalton, GA 30721, and the address in Woodstock is JJ Biello Park Riverside Athletic Complex, 610 Druw Cameron Court, Woodstock, GA 30188.

Other MAKO Medical drive-thru COVID-19 test sites in North Georgia are operating at these sites on limited weekdays, as listed:

Click flyer to print and share!Parents and caregivers, is your child’s car seat safely installed? Is it time for a change? The Cherokee County Health Department is joining Safe Kids Cherokee County to invite you to a Car Seat Checkup Event on Friday, March 11th from 2 PM to 4 PM.

The Car Seat Checkup Event will take place at the Cherokee County Health Department at 7545 North Main Street in Woodstock. Nationally certified technicians will teach how to fit and install child car seats and booster seats so children will be buckled up right, every trip, every time.

Not able to obtain a suitable car seat for your child? Car seats and booster seats will be provided to financially eligible families on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Local partnering agencies supporting the Car Seat Checkup Event include Cherokee Recreation & Parks, the Cherokee Fire Department, and the North Georgia Health District.

Social distancing and proper PPE will be utilized at the event.

For more information, contact (678) 493-4343 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

Will help ensure children are buckled up right, every trip, every time!

North GA – The 2022 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program was awarded in all six counties of North Georgia Health District 1-2. These mini grant awards will help health departments, law enforcement and community partners in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties work together to provide car seats and education to financially eligible families. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles.

Since 2007, the education, car seats and booster seats provided through the mini grant prevented serious injury or death and saved 425 of Georgia’s children who were involved in crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent among infants and by 54 percent among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars. Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Nearly three out of every four car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.

Through the Car Seat Mini-Grant, agencies supporting more than 120 counties are working to keep Georgia’s children safe. These programs help families get their children buckled up right, every trip, every time.

For more information about the local county car seat safety program and to arrange an appointment for car seat inspection or distribution, contact the health department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County.

For information regarding other counties involved in the program, please contact the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Child Occupant Safety Project via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (404) 463-1487.

Finding time to sit down, have a meal, and share stories about the day can be a difficult task for today’s families.  Often, meals are eaten on the go, in the car, in separate rooms, at sporting events, or not at all.  If mealtime is shared among family members, the focus is often on the television instead of each other.

Family meals, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner can positively benefit children in a variety of ways.

Family meals, prepared at home, are more nutritious.  Meals prepared at home typically contain fewer processed foods and calories than meals prepared in restaurants.  According to a Harvard study, families who eat together are twice as likely to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables as families who do not share mealtimes.  Family meals can influence food intakes and behaviors, and as a result will impact a child’s eating habits, diets, and overall health.

Family meals provide an opportunity for parents to be role models.  This is a chance to model healthy eating habits and build better relationships by spending quality time together. This often results in better self-esteem and a sense of belonging for children. Frequent family meals can foster a more open environment for kids to talk to their family about their day.

Anytime is the perfect time of year to play outdoors together. According to a 2010 study, children aged 8-18 spend more than 7.5 hours per day using entertainment media. This amount of time differs greatly from the 25 minutes per day children typically spend reading books or the 4 to 7 minutes a day playing outside without structure. Children are carrying this sedentary lifestyle and disconnect with nature into adulthood; as a result, this is altering the future health and wellness of our communities.

Generation Alpha, children born after 2010, have more alternatives to playing outside than any previous generation. From iPads to video games to smart phones, or even the television, this generation seems to have it all at their fingertips.

Screens can entertain, teach, and keep children occupied, however, too much time can have negative effects on children.  Too much screen time can lead to inadequate sleep, lower grades in school, reading fewer books, spending less time with friends and family, not enough outdoor or physical activity, elevated BMI, or even mood problems. Too much occupancy with a screen leaves little time for the growth, brain development, and responsibility that is gained from being in nature.

4 Ways to decrease screen time and increase active time outdoors

1. Set limits. Sounds simple, right? It’s easy to set limits, but often the limits are unrealistic and quickly disregarded. See chart for screen time recommendations by age.

2. Plan ahead. Sit down with your family and create realistic goals that are displayed in the home. Make certain that your child has a safe and convenient place to play outdoors.

3. Be an example. Be active outdoors with your children. Do activities such as hiking, scavenger hunts, exercise, play games, crafts, or take bike ride.

4. Focus on fun. Keep the activities or time you spend with your children outdoors fun. Don’t overdo it. Do things with your kids they enjoy.