Orange County COVID-19 Updated Data Sept. 25, 2020

The Orange County Health Department has provided the following information about COVID-19 cases in Orange County as of 9:00 a.m. today:

TOTAL CASES: 2,614
TOTAL DEATHS: 55

Data Considerations:
1. Any demographic groups with very small numbers have been suppressed to protect
patient confidentiality.
2. We are missing race and ethnicity data for between 30-40% of confirmed cases.
3. We don’t know who may have COVID-19 that wasn’t able to get tested, and we don’t know what groups the patients with missing data fall under.
This data should not be used to make generalizations about who may or may not have higher rates of infection.

Click here to download the entire release.

Testing

There will be a COVID-19 testing event Saturday, Sept. 26, from Noon to 4 p.m. There will be a testing event every fourth Saturday of the month at this same location.

Where: St. Thomas More Catholic Church
940 Carmichael Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Anyone is welcome to come for a test. Registration is on site and COVID-19 tests are free.

See the Orange County COVID-19 Testing webpage for additional information on local testing options.

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant –– Applications Now Open for FY20-21 Round

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is now open for the FY20-21 Funding round. An estimated $478,657 funding will be provided to support an expansion of climate change mitigation and resilience projects that build on Orange County’s long history of sustainable actions.

Applications materials as well as details on grant eligibility and scoring are available at the Grant program website: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2534/Community-Climate-Action-Grant-Program. Applications must be received by noon Monday, Nov. 9.

Orange County to host virtual summit on 2020 Transit Plan

Residents asked to complete survey on transit services

Orange County Planning, with the help of the consulting group, Renaissance Planning, Inc., will host an on-line Transit Summit on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, from 5-8 p.m. Information on how to participate is available on the project website (www.octransit2020.com).

In preparation for the Transit Summit, planning staff and the consulting team created a survey to receive feedback on what type of services are most desirable to County residents. The project website includes an FAQ page, a project history page with ongoing updates, a section for how to get involved, and a signup to receive emails reminders for key events.

Findings from the first Transit Summit will help inform the Regional Connections Opportunity Report, the Transit Choices Brochure, the project website as well as the focus for the second Transit Summit, which is scheduled to take place in early January 2021. All of this will, ultimately, inform the final plan.

Lost in a coal mine with waters rising – Danger!

Danger! is a short (24 minutes) play by Richard Hughes. It portrays a young couple and an older man with a tour group lost in a coal mine with the water swiftly rising. This play was first produced by Nigel Playfair for broadcast from the London Station in 1924.

Join Orange County Department on Aging’s Prime Time Players for their YouTube performance of Danger! on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 2 pm.

As a new way of connecting with their audience, The Prime Time Players are offering a free virtual production every other Tuesday for you to enjoy. In the event you are not able to watch Danger! on Sept. 29, please know that this video, as well as their other performances, are viewable at your leisure on the Prime Time Players YouTube channel. After enjoying the production, be sure to “Subscribe” to gain access to all of the Prime Time Players’ great productions. It’s FREE!

Upcoming events from the Orange County Senior Centers

Plant Sale
It’s that time of year again; time to separate your plants. Instead of replanting the same plant, why not try another variety? The Passmore gardeners will sell plants from their beautiful garden. The plant sale will take place in the back parking lot. Please park in designated spaces to ensure social distancing. Sponsored by the Friends of the Jerry M Passmore Center. All proceeds supports the senior center.
Master Gardener: Patty Meehan
Passmore Center
Date: Thursday, Oct. 8 (223034-01)
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Meet the Author
During our virtual meeting, local author AJ Mayhew will read excerpts from her new book. AJ was born in Charlotte and much of her work reflects her vivid memories of growing up in the segregated South. There will be time for a question and answer session after her presentation. Min: 10 /Max: 25
Register by: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Author: AJ Mayhem
Fee: FREE
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21 (213013-01)
Time: 3 p.m.
Link: Program ID will be emailed

Economic Development accepting applications for grant programs

The Orange County Business Investment Grant and Agriculture Grant Programs will be accepting applications for the next deadline through Sept. 30. These programs can offer grants up to $10,000 for eligible businesses and agriculture operations.

Additional information, including program guidelines and applications, can be located at the Economic Development website.

Orange Sheriff appointed Vice Chair of Governor's Crime Commission

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper appointed Orange County Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood as vice chair of the Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC). Governor Cooper originally appointed Sheriff Blackwood to the Commission in 2017.

As vice chair, Blackwood will take on increased leadership in the 45-person Commission. He said, “I’m honored to accept this new role on the Governor’s Crime Commission. I’ve served on the Commission for several years now, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the knowledge and talent working on behalf of the people of this State.”

The GCC is the chief advisory body to the Governor and to the Secretary of Public Safety on crime and justice issues. The Commission includes the heads of statewide criminal justice agencies, appointed state and local government officials, and private citizens. Additionally, the GCC also applies for federal criminal justice funds from the US Department of Justice on behalf of North Carolina. The Commission then distributes these funds, along with state appropriated monies, through a grant application process.

Blackwood added, “The work being done by the Commission; for our Courts, the victims of crime, and our law enforcement officers is more important now than ever, and I feel we are well positioned to meet the challenge.”

More information about the Commission can be found on the GCC webpage.

Group seeking comments on final US 15-501 Corridor Study

The Durham Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) is requesting comments from the public on the final US 15-501 Corridor Study. Comments can be submitted through October 15, 2020 using the following methods:

Email - Send your comments to andrew.henry@durhamnc.gov.
Public Hearing - You can directly address the DCHC MPO Board at their virtual public meeting, October 14, 9am, by sending your request to speak at the meeting to andrew.henry@durhamnc.gov.
Telephone - Call Andy Henry, 919-560-4366, extension 36419

If these methods are not adequate for you, please contact Andy Henry to request other accommodations.

SAT, ACT, or Both?
Join the experts at The Princeton Review to learn about the differences and similarities between the SAT and ACT. What are the unique challenges each test type presents? What should you consider when trying to decide which is best for you? What resources are available to help you in that decision? Come learn the answers to these questions and more in this online session. Click the graphic for registration information.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

Even during the pandemic, The Orange County Public Library is celebrating National Library Card Sign-up Month. If you are a resident of Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Person counties, you qualify for a free library card. A borrower’s card with the library gives you free access to digital materials and information, including Tutor.com, Libby, hoopla, and more. With your card, you can also place holds on up to 15 items and have up to 40 items checked out at one time. While our locations remain closed, we are offering safe and physically distant curbside library service.

If you live in a county other than those listed above, and work for Durham Tech, Orange County Government, Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough, or UNC-Chapel Hill, you may also get a free library card.

All staff and students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, The Expedition School and Eno River Academy already have fine-free library accounts in place via the library’s Student Easy Access (SEA) and Educator accounts.

To register for an Orange County Public Library card, you can begin the process online or by calling 919.245.2525, option 1, Monday – Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm or Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Curbside service is offered at all three Orange County Public Library locations. The Main Library is located at 137 W. Margaret Lane in downtown Hillsborough. The Carrboro Branch is located at McDougle Middle School, 900 Old Fayetteville Road in Chapel Hill. The Cybrary is located at The Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro. Free parking is available at all library locations. For library hours of operation and complete service and program information, please visit the library’s Virtual Branch.

www.orangecountync.gov