Forsyth County gives update on refugee health program

*Editor's note: This story has been updated as of Feb. 10, 2025:

A refugee program run by the Forsyth County Department of Health and Human Services was thought to be on pause based on communication on Friday, February 7, from Joshua Swift, the county’s director of public health.

WFDD reported on this conversation. On Monday, Swift informed WFDD that he had misinterpreted information from the state and that there was indeed no pause to the program.  

He says in recent years, his department received nearly 300 refugees annually. The county helps get them up to date on their vaccines in order to find work and go to school. 

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98