COVID-19 Updates, April 14, 2020
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Orange County Press Releases |
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MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager and
Public Information Officer
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2462
LINK TO MEDIA RELEASE
Orange County Health Department Reporting First COVID-19 Associated Death
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. April 10, 2020 – An Orange County resident died from complications associated with the virus, COVID-19. The patient was in their 70’s and was under Hospice Care at PruittHealth – Carolina Point, one of two long-term care facilities in Orange County where there are outbreaks of COVID-19. To protect the families’ privacy, no further information about the patient will be released.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones. This loss is deeply felt by our entire community. Now more than ever, each of us must do our part to prevent the spread of this virus, especially to our most vulnerable,” said Orange County Health Director, Quintana Stewart.
There are outbreaks of COVID-19 at two long-term care facilities in Orange County, occurring at PruittHealth – Carolina Point and Signature HealthCARE at Chapel Hill. An outbreak is defined as two or more cases. Orange County currently has a total of 104 cases of COVID-19. The case count for each county is for laboratory confirmed cases linked to the individual’s home county of residence. All positive PruittHealth and Signature HealthCARE cases may not be reflected in the overall Orange County case total.
It has been confirmed that PruittHealth has at least 86 positives cases and the total includes staff and residents. Nine residents are at Duke University Hospital. In the case of Signature HealthCARE there are 31 positive tests and some are being cared for at UNC Hospitals. More test results are pending for Signature Health.
Across the state of North Carolina, there are 21 outbreaks in congregant living settings, such as jails or shelters. Eighteen of the outbreaks are among long-term care facilities. The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) has worked with Orange County EMS, UNC Hospitals and Duke Hospitals to focus on prevention and response at long-term care facilities. Staff from these agencies formed strike teams that have worked closely with the facilities. The strike team tested all staff and residents so they know who carries COVID-19, even if they are asymptomatic.
High Risk Populations
People at high risk include anyone who: - Is 65 years of age or older
- Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Has a high-risk condition that includes:
- chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- heart disease with complications
- compromised immune system
- severe obesity - body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
- other underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as diabetes, renal failure or liver disease
In addition, pregnant women should be monitored closely since they are known to be at risk for severe viral illness. However, data so far on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness in pregnant women. While children are generally at lower risk for severe infection, some studies indicate a higher risk among infants.
Approximately 12% of all COVID-19 cases are serious enough to require hospitalization. Many people are surprised to learn 20% of those hospitalizations were among patients 20-44 years old. Additionally, of patients aged 20 – 44 who get COVID-19, between 14 and 21% get sick enough to require hospitalization.
LINK TO PRESS RELEASE FROM APRIL 8, 2020: Orange County Health Department Reporting Outbreaks of COVID-19 at Two Long-Term Care Facilities: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10490/COVID-19-outbreak-at-long-term-care-facilities
Reliable Information
For the latest information and guidance relating to Orange County’s COVID-19 response, visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/Coronavirus
The phone line for questions about COVID-19 is 919-245-6111 and is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Spanish language and other languages are available. The phone line will be closed on Friday, April 10th due to an Orange County Government Holiday.
To receive daily text updates on the crisis, please text OCNCHEALTH to 888-777. For Spanish speakers, text OCNCSALUD to 888-777.
You may also sign up for a twice weekly e-newsletter about the COVID-19 response via our website.
Please follow the Orange County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.
NCDHHS’ website https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc, will include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina. |
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MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager and
Public Information Officer
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2462
LINK TO MEDIA RELEASE
Orange County Health Department Reporting Second COVID-19 Associated Death
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. April 11, 2020 – A second Orange County resident has died from complications associated with the virus, COVID-19. The patient was in their 60’s and was a resident at PruittHealth – Carolina Point, one of two long-term care facilities in Orange County where there are outbreaks of COVID-19. To protect the families’ privacy, no further information about the patient will be released.
“COVID-19 continues to take a toll on our community. We are heartbroken to announce this second COVID-19 related death and our thoughts are with the family at this time. Sadly, we believe that this will not be the last time that we are confronted with this kind of information,” said Orange County Health Director, Quintana Stewart.
There are outbreaks of COVID-19 at two long-term care facilities in Orange County, occurring at PruittHealth – Carolina Point and Signature HealthCARE at Chapel Hill. An outbreak is defined as two or more cases.
Orange County currently has a total of 141 cases of COVID-19. The case count for each county is for laboratory confirmed cases linked to the individual’s home county of residence. All positive PruittHealth and Signature HealthCARE cases may not be reflected in the overall Orange County case total. If a person tests positive for COVID-19 or passes away in a long-term care facility or hospital, their death is counted in the tally for their county of residence, not the county in which they are currently housed. For instance if someone passes away at UNC Hospitals from COVID-19 but their county of residence is Alamance County, their death will be reflected on the NC DHHS website for Alamance County.
The Health Department will provide a weekly summary of cases once a week going forward on Friday. The NC DHHS updates their COVID-19 case count dashboard daily at 11 a.m.
Read more about the First Death in Orange County (April 10th, 2020): https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10509/First-COVID-19-Death-in-Orange-County-NC-April-10-2020
Read more about the Outbreaks of COVID-19 at Two Long-Term Care Facilities (April 8th, 2020): http://www.orangecountync.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=489
Lower Your Risk
To lower the risk of spreading respiratory infections, including COVID-19, the Orange County Health Department encourages everyone to: - Stay home as much as possible, except for essential travel;
- If you must go out in public, wear a cloth face covering;
- Stay home when you are sick;
- Avoid contact with sick people;
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces;
- If you are experiencing symptoms, call your doctor;
- Practice social distancing. Maintain at least six feet of space between yourself and other individuals when out in public; and
- Avoid close contact with crowds of any size, and avoid any crowd of more than 10 people.
Reliable Information
For the latest information and guidance relating to Orange County’s COVID-19 response, visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/Coronavirus
The phone line for questions about COVID-19 is 919-245-6111 and is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Spanish language and other languages are available.
To receive daily text updates on the crisis, please text OCNCHEALTH to 888-777. For Spanish speakers, text OCNCSALUD to 888-777.
You may also sign up for a twice weekly e-newsletter about the COVID-19 response via our website.
Please follow the Orange County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.
NCDHHS’ website https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc, will include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina. |
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Viruses cannot travel on radio waves/mobile networks. COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks.
COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then their eyes, mouth or nose. |
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Viruses Don't Discriminate
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Orange County Government cares about diversity, equity and inclusion. As a community, we need to be mindful of xenophobia (dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries).
As this novel coronavirus spreads, so does xenophobia. We want to avoid any speech or action that would make minorities in our community feel exposed and vulnerable. Pathogens and viruses do not discriminate, however humans do.
The Orange County Health Department will not contribute to racial profiling and marginalization, portraying the carrier of this illness as “foreign and alien.” We will stick to the science and treat all community members with respect.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Read more about COVID-19 guidance for business owners and the general public here. |
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Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
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CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
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Receive COVID-19 Updates Through Text
Orange County residents can receive COVID-19 updates by text message. If interested, text OCNCHEALTH to 888-777. For Spanish, text OCNCSALUD to 888-777. |
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Orange County Call Center
*Due to low call volume, the Call Center will be in operation from Monday-Friday only.
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National Public Health Week
April 6-12, 2020
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April 6-12 was recognized as National Public Health Week (NPHW). This year marked the 25th NPHW, with the theme being 'Looking Back, Moving Forward.'
The daily themes for NPHW are listed below: Last week, Orange County Health Department shared local COVID-19 resource information all week, in line with the daily themes for NPHW. They are included below.
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COVID-19 is causing heightened levels of stress. In particular, isolation and quarantine can be highly stressful. As can separation from loved ones, especially those detained off-shore or in other countries. And many in the public health and health care sectors, as well as those working in affected industries, are shouldering a significant mental health burden.
Reach out and check on your loved ones and community members. And read and share such resources as the World Health Organization's Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's tips on managing anxiety and stress. |
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Maternal and Child Health Resources: |
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Domestic Violence Resources: |
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In perhaps one of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic, air pollution, specifically CO2 levels, diminished in Italy due to dramatic lifestyle changes. Yet as always, changes in people’s lifestyle patterns can have unexpected consequences on our environment. For now, remain vigilant in recycling plastics. If you are sick, dispose of soiled items by double-bagging in secured containers with lids. Continue to advocate for increased funding to improve our water infrastructure and adequate funding to support public health workers in monitoring, preparing for and responding to the health effects of climate change.
Environmental Health Resources: |
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As with any illness, reliance on science-based information and response is key. Schools at all levels should be engaged in active surveillance and communicate with their state and local public health departments should a person display possible COVID-19 symptoms.
Distance learning is now more necessary than ever, heightening the need for access to technology and high-speed internet As schools are often the key source of daily nutrition for students in low-income families, school systems are now called on to find ways to distribute meals while maintaining social distancing.
Reach out to your local school system to see if volunteers are needed, whether for meal distribution, online learning support or other tasks. If you've found yourself suddenly at home with your school-aged children, CDC has advice on how to talk to them about COVID-19, as does the National Association of School Psychologists.
School Resources |
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During the COVID-19 quarantine, people are spending even more time in their homes than usual. For those living in unsafe environments, problems like mold and secondhand smoke exposure can worsen existing health conditions.
Share CDC's workplace, home and school guidance. And while designed to help people prepare their homes for an outbreak, CDC's Protect Your Home page is still useful now, in the midst of the pandemic. The National Center for Healthy Housing's Fact Sheets, Checklists and Guides page offers links on ways to keep your home safe, the costs of home upkeep and seasonal maintenance checklists.
Healthy Homes Resources
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One of the most dramatic reactions to COVID-19 has been that of the stock markets and the underlying industries they represent. It already appears clear that many industries and their employees will suffer a significant financial hardship. On an individual level, the burden of being out of work and (potentially) hospitalized for an extended period of time can have disastrous impacts on financial health.
Advocate for paid sick leave and a living wage. Urge your members of Congress to prioritize public health infrastructure and paid sick, family and medical leave in any future legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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World Health Organization Health Alert
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WHO has launched a dedicated messaging services in Arabic, English, French and Spanish with partners WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus.
This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it.
From government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service provides the latest news and information on coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others. It also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real-time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.
The service can be accessed by a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi”, "hola", “salut”, "ciao" or "?????" to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.
For more information about WHO Alerts, visit their website. |
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 5,024 COVID-19 cases, 418 hospitalizations and 108 deaths as of April 14, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every morning at 11 a.m.), please visit the NCDHHS website.
There are currently 155 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 2 deaths.
Orange County will not be sharing any patient demographics about positive COVID-19 cases. Information that identifies a person who has or may have COVID-19 is protected by NC’s communicable disease confidentiality law, G.S. 130A-143. When the information is maintained by a local health department, it is protected by HIPAA as well. The address alone is sufficient to make the information individually identifiable, even without the name. Therefore, the information must be managed in a way that complies with these laws. We will not ever share race, age, sex or zip code.
Social distancing is extremely important to limit the spread of COVID-19. Included below are infographics in English, Spanish and Chinese that give tips on social distancing. Orange County encourages residents to practice social distancing along with other steps, such as proper hand washing, to combat the spread.
Spanish, Chinese, Kinyarwanda, Chinese and Karen versions of the graphics below are available here.
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Resources
NC 2-1-1 NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. Accessible via an easy-to-remember, three-digit number, families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources within their community.
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Dialing 2-1-1 is free, confidential, and available in most languages. |
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Housing St Thomas More Church will continue with providing financial assistance for rent, for Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents during this time of social distancing. They require a copy of the lease. Do not come to the church. - Remote Financial Assistance Ministry will operate on following times:
- Mondays 8:30-11:30AM and Thursdays 6-8pm
- People should contact by phone at 919-942-6216
- People could call in advance and leave a message and a volunteer would call/email back during Remote Financial Assistance time-frame.
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Town of Hillsborough Announcements
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The Town of Hillsborough has provided information on how residents can make water bill payments. More information is linked here. |
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Orange County COVID-19 Resource ListA comprehensive list on local resources in Orange County can be found here. |
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Check out OCHD’s COVID-19 Multilingual Resource page.
OCHD has national, state and locally produced resources in English, Spanish, Chinese, and many also in American Sign Language (ASL) Arabic, Burmese, Karen, and Kinyarwanda. Swahili to come soon! New materials are posted weekly, and sometimes daily, so check back frequently!
Please share widely and direct questions or feedback to Susan Clifford, Immigrant & Refugee Health Program Manager at sclifford@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2487 |
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Additional COVID-19 resources: |
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COVID-19 Response: Donation Drive
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The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is requesting donations to support the COVID-19 response. We know that our community members want to support this effort, and you may be able to help in a safe way.
We are not asking the community to go out to shop for these items, but rather to donate materials that you already have.
For more information, please visit our website. |
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