COVID-19 Updates: June 11, 2020
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Orange County Press Release |
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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 Extends Emergency Declaration, Mandates Face Coverings
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. June 10, 2020 – Orange County has extended its COVID-19-related state of emergency through Aug. 31 and has mandated the use of face coverings in many situations.
The face covering requirement, which goes into effect at 5 p.m. Friday, June 12, applies to:
• All customers, employees and other users of restaurants and grocery and retail stores while they are indoors.
• All occupants of public transportation vehicles. • Anyone in an indoor or outdoor situation where they cannot maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others. Face coverings are not required:
• For people whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face covering. • For those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition. • For children under 12 years old.
• For restaurant customers while they are dining.
• In private offices.
• When complying with directions of law enforcement officers.
• In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering when obtaining or rendering goods or services.
• While with family or household members.
Local leaders speak
Orange County leaders are emphasizing the importance of the face covering requirement.
Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart: “Today’s declaration is part of our broader strategy to protect public health and slow the spread of the coronavirus in our community. By covering your face when you are out in public, you are helping reduce the risk of infecting those around you. Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, face coverings are a part of our new normal. We know it will take some time to get used to, but it will help save lives.
Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Penny Rich: “With the recent uptick of positive cases in our state and county it is vitally important for us to remain vigilant in order to flatten the curve and mitigate the spread of this virus. Wearing a face covering, physical distancing and hygiene are critical steps. This is why we are amending the order to require face coverings in any indoor or outdoor situation in which people cannot maintain a safe physical distance.”
Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle: “I appreciate that many of our residents have voluntarily been wearing face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. With the opening of more businesses, and as community members are going out more, asking everyone to wear a face covering while indoors and in public spaces where they cannot physically distance is a logical next step. Thanks to everyone for doing their part to keep us all safe.”
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger: “We are taking this additional step based on the advice of our healthcare professionals who caution that the virus can be spread unknowingly by people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic.” Hemminger also stressed the importance of the three Ws: wearing a face covering, waiting at least 6 feet apart and washing hands frequently.
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver: “Wearing a face covering is one of the most effective ways of slowing the spread of COVID-19 when there is widespread compliance. This is how we take care of our community — I wear a covering because it protects others around me, and they wear one because it protects me. Let’s count on each other to keep Hillsborough healthy and thriving.”
Related Documents
• Orange County amended declaration
• Orange County Health Department’s Face Covering Website
• FAQ about the Executive Order from the Governor
• Executive Order 141
• May 21st Amendment to the Declaration of State of Emergency in Orange County
• Frequently Asked Questions on Cloth Face Coverings
Reliable Information
For the latest information and guidance relating to Orange County’s COVID-19 response:
• Visit our webpage
• Receive daily text updates Monday through Friday on the crisis by texting 888-777 with OCNCHEALTH for English speakers and OCNCSALUD for Spanish speakers.
• Sign up for a twice weekly e-newsletter about the COVID-19 response via the county website.
• Follow the Orange County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.
• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services updates its COVID-19 case count dashboard daily at 11 a.m.
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Viruses do not discriminate...but our country does
The Black Community and COVID-19
Part llI
June 11, 2020
Structural Racism is a Public Health Crisis |
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Black Lives Matter mural in Charlotte, NCOn Tuesday, June 2, 2020, the Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution condemning the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, MN. The resolution was brought forth by the Orange County Human Relations Commission. It included a statement from our Health Director, Quintana Stewart declaring that “structural racism is a public health crisis in Orange County,” stating that “it creates a cycle of injustice against people of color leading to trauma which ultimately affects health.” We applaud Quintana for making this bold statement. Under her leadership, Orange County Health Department (OCHD) has continued internal equity work, beginning in 2017.
The Racial Equity Commission (REC) is a departmental internal team designed to not only catalyze equitable systems, change and champion race and health equity and social justice within the department, but will oversee the implementation of the Racial Equity Strategic Plan adopted in 2019. One component of the strategic plan prioritizes staff attending the Racial Equity Institute (REI) Phase I training and other racial equity trainings. To date, approximately 50% of staff have completed REI training. Learning communities such as racial affinity caucusing, book club, and field trips provide other opportunities for staff to strengthen knowledge and understanding of structural racism.
The Health Equity Council (HEC), is an external team open to any community organization, agency, or community member,and was formed two years ago through funding from the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (OMHHD). In the first two years, HEC worked on specific deliverables to meet OMHHD requirements, such as hosting several community trainings and a community forum. For the next four years, HEC will be instrumental in addressing health equity which was found to be one of the top health concerns for people in Orange County through the Community Health Assessment process. HEC will continue to work with its partners and community members using the Results Based Accountability model (RBA) to understand policies and practices that lead to health inequities.
As we move forward and wrestle with how to address racism as a public health crisis, we appreciate the strong foundation OCHD has created, while also acknowledging the long road ahead.Read the full resolution from the Orange County Board of Commissioners here: |
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Orange County Health Department has expanded its contact tracing program. Contact Tracers work to find people who have been exposed to COVID-19.
If you are contacted know:
Contact Tracers will: - Tell you about your risk
- Educate you about COVID-19 symptoms
- Help connect you to resources and support you may need
- Keep your information confidential
Contact tracers will not: - Ask for your social security number
- Ask for your bank information
If you are COVID-19 positive or if you are contacted about having been exposed, you are NOT in trouble. Contact Tracers want to help by providing guidance to keep you safe and healthy. For more information, please visit our webpage. |
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Info Session: Unemployment Benefits and Workers Rights
During COVID-19
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Read below, a message from Orange County Arts CommissionDear artists,
The challenges of filing for unemployment, particularly for 1099 gig workers, has been the most frequently expressed issue by you, our artists, during this time. For this reason, we wanted to make sure you're aware of an an important info session coming up this Friday at 10am." Unemployment Benefits and Workers' Rights During COVID-19" is being offered by Triangle ArtWorks and will discuss your options if you were denied benefits, when the federal program for gig workers ends, and your rights if your employer reopens and you don't feel safe going back to work.
Join Bill Rowe and Clermont Ripley from the NC Justice Center as they discuss your rights under the new unemployment benefits established by the CARES act and FFCRA. This free information session will cover the three new programs created from the CARES act: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). They will also discuss new paid leave benefits created by the FFCRA, as well as options related to workplace health and safety concerns related to reopening. There will also have space for questions to be asked by attendees.
The event is FREE, but registration will be limited. Please register only if you are not sure you can attend!
For any questions, please contact Katie Murray |
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 39,481 COVID-19 cases, 1,064 deaths, and 812 hospitalizations, as of June 4, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every morning at 11 a.m.), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday.
There are currently 427 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 40 deaths.
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COVID-19 Community Resources
For more information on COVID-19 community resources in the county, please visit our webpage. Resources on specific topic areas, such as food access, education, housing, and others, are all accessible on our website, or at the links below.
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