COVID-19 Updates: September 16, 2020

National Hispanic Heritage Month

At the Orange County Health Department we know how important it is to celebrate events like Independence Day, Christmas, birthdays and much more with your friends and family.

We want to remind you that it is still safer to stay at home most of the time. But, if you decide to celebrate with family or friends, we want to remind you of the safest way to celebrate together. Remember your three W’s- Wear a mask. Maintain 6 feet of distance from others. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.

More info: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

Nosotros en el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Orange sabemos lo importante que es celebrar eventos como el día de independencia, navidad, los cumpleaños, y muchos más con sus amigos y sus familiares.

Queremos recordarles que todavía es más seguro quedarse en casa todo el tiempo que sea posible. Pero si usted decide celebrar con sus familiares o amigos, queremos recordarles de la manera más segura para hacer esas celebraciones. La mejor herramienta que tenemos para la prevención de COVID-19 son las 3 M’s. Use una mascarilla. Mantenga 6 pies de distancia de los demás. Asegurarse de lavarse las manos con frecuencia o usar desinfectante para manos.

Más Info: www.orangecountync.gov/espanol

Hispanic Heritage Month underscores need to address health disparities

Message from the American Public Health Association

Date: Sep 15 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations

The American Public Health Association joins in celebrating and recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month, which offers an opportunity to raise awareness about the health inequities faced by Hispanic communities.

“As we celebrate Hispanic heritage, we should take note of the importance of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best health,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us we have a long way to go in that regard.”

The Hispanic and Latino community has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting more than 30% percent of COVID-19 cases nationally, and more than 74% of work-related cases as many Hispanics are employed in the service industry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The COVID-19 impact, added to the fact that Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S., reflect the need for improved access to health care services and testing, Benjamin said.

“It’s vitally important that community and education programs are buttressed to spread the message about how people can protect themselves during this pandemic,” Benjamin added. “And we have to do all we can to improve data collection and outreach especially in communities of color.”

There are more than 60.6 million Hispanic residents in the U.S., and people of Hispanic origin are the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority, about 18.5% of the population.

“This month, as we honor Hispanics in the community and their contributions to the U.S., we must also work to ensure that they rightfully attain the health they and all of us deserve,” Benjamin said.

A collection of Spanish-language COVID-19 resources is available at COVIDGuia.org.

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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.

Orange County: Early Voting Schedule

November 3, 2020
Early Voting Schedule
Orange County offers early voting to all registered Orange County voters who wish to vote early, in-person rather than voting absentee by mail or on Election Day.

SAME DAY REGISTRATION
Same Day Voter Registration is available during the Early Voting period at all Early Voting sites. If completing Same-Day Registration, one must bring a valid form of government ID (does not need to be a photo id, but must show residence in Orange County), and must vote during Early Voting rather than on Election Day.

BY-MAIL VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
The voter registration deadline is 25 days prior to an election, falling on a Friday, at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be delivered to the Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. or must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m.

ABSENTEE VOTING
Orange County also offers absentee voting by mail to all Orange County registered voters who wish to vote by mail rather than in person at a one-stop early voting site or on Election Day. Absentee ballot requests may be submitted using the required Absentee Ballot Request Form, either in person (at the above address) or by mail (at the Post Office Box listed above).
Absentee Ballots

For information on receiving your absentee ballot by mail, rather than voting in person, visit the Absentee Voting by Mail page.

FAQs

The Orange County Board of Elections, in conjunction with the Orange County Health Department, Public Libraries and Community Relations Department, has created a video about the voting process for the upcoming Presidential election.

The video features the six Early Voting sites and a demonstration of the safety protocols that will be in place during early voting and on Election Day. The video is in English, Spanish and Chinese and can be found on the library’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/OCNCPublicLibraries).

Spanish
English
Chinese (coming soon)

“We are doing all we can to ensure you can vote safely in Orange County,” said Rachel Raper, Orange County Elections Director.

Each voting location during early voting and on Election Day will feature enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing and single-use pens and single-use cotton swabs for voters, Raper said.

Due to federal voting laws, voters will be asked but not required to wear masks. Any voter who doesn’t have a mask will be offered one, Raper said.

Voters who do not wish to vote in person can choose to vote by mail. Registered voters may request a ballot through the N.C. State Board of Elections’ Online Absentee Request Portal. If you wish to request an absentee ballot, your request must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Requests received after that time cannot be processed.

Registered voters can also print and fill out the State Absentee Ballot Request form found on the Orange County website. Requests must be signed by the voter or a near relative who is making a request on behalf of a voter. Please read the instructions on the form carefully.

Completed requests may be mailed (PO Box 220, Hillsborough 27278), emailed (vote@orangecountync.gov), faxed (919-644-3318) or hand delivered to our office (208 S Cameron St. Hillsborough 27278).

The county began mailing absentee ballots Sept. 4. A by-mail absentee voter must have one witness in their presence as they complete their ballot and application envelope.

“The primary reason absentee ballots are not accepted is due to missing signatures, either the witness or the voter,” Raper said. “Should there be an issue with the acceptance of a ballot, our office will contact the voter within one business day.”

Completed, witnessed absentee ballot envelopes may be returned immediately to the Board of Elections office at 208 S Cameron St. Hillsborough. Staff is available to accept returned ballots Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ballots may also be returned to an open early voting site rather than the Board of Elections during the hours of Early Voting; however, absentee ballot envelopes may not be accepted on Election Day at the polls.

Voters who receive a mailed absentee ballot may still vote in person on Election Day or during early voting as long as the mailed absentee ballot was not returned.

Voters who vote by mail can check the status of the ballot three different ways. The N.C. State Board of Elections has created a BallotTrax online service for voters to check to see if their ballot was received. Voters can also check the status of their absentee ballot using the voter search tool on the NCSBE website or contact their county board of elections.

Voters are discouraged from coming to their polling place on Election Day to check the status of their absentee ballot. It is against the law to mail an absentee ballot and attempt to vote in person.

Critical dates

Oct. 15 – Early voting begins at six locations in Orange County
Oct. 27 – Requests for absentee ballots must be received by the Orange County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. (not postmarked, but received).
Oct. 31 – Early voting ends at 3 p.m.
Nov. 3 – Election Day polls are open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to the Orange County Board of Elections until 5 p.m. Absentee ballots may not be returned to Election Day polling places. Absentee ballots returned via mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 to be considered timely

COVID-19 Testing in Orange County

There will be a COVID-19 testing event Saturday, September 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church
1701 Jimmy Ed Road E
Hurdle Mills, NC 27541

When: Saturday, September 19^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

Links to Flyers for the testing event:

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. NAMI is here to help.

Informational Resources

Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
Being Prepared for a Crisis
Navigating a Mental Health Crisis
Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.

Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

Awareness Resources

Help promote awareness by sharing images and graphics on your website and social media accounts. Use #SuicidePrevention or #StigmaFree.

While suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to come together with collective passion and strength around a difficult topic. The truth is, we can all benefit from honest conversations about mental health conditions and suicide, because just one conversation can change a life.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 188,024 COVID-19 cases, 3,149 deaths, and 918 hospitalizations, as of September 16, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day at noon), 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 2,543 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 54 deaths.

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.

Contact Information

For general questions (not urgent) about 2019 Novel Coronavirus, contact NCDHHS at: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov or 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about coronavirus from the public.

If you are an individual or a medical practice with questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Department at (919) 245-6111. During business hours (8:30a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2462

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Email: covid19@orangecountync.gov
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC