Orange County Health News
September 15, 2021 |
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COVID-19 Home Test Collection Kit Program
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has launched a pilot program to provide no-cost, at-home COVID-19 collection kits for North Carolinians who may face difficulties traveling to testing sites. People 18 and older can request a test and parents and guardians can request a test collection kit for those aged 2-17.
Learn more and request a collection kit at THIS LINK.
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/covid-19-test-home-collection-kit-program
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County-Level Calculator to Estimate Risk of
COVID-19 Exposure at U.S. Events
An interactive dashboard that estimates Covid-19 incidence at gatherings in the U.S. has added a new feature: the ability to calculate county-level risk of attending an event with someone actively infected with Coronavirus (Covid-19).
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Children age 17 and Under Made Up
31% of the State’s New COVID-19 Cases
Governor Roy Cooper said Thursday there is increasing urgency for everyone ages 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. For the week ending Sept. 4, children age 17 and under made up 31% of the state’s new COVID-19 cases. That is the highest percentage since the pandemic began.
“The numbers aren’t good, especially the number of people in the hospital and dying,” Cooper said. In the past 24 hours, the coronavirus has claimed 110 lives with North Carolina recording 15,004 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. By far, the most people hospitalized right now by COVID are unvaccinated.
Read More
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1 in 3 adults Have Pre-diabetes. Do You?
Registration is now open for the next diabetes prevention program class if you’re interested in learning how to lose at least 5% of your body weight and to achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week to prevent Type 2 Diabetes.
Enrollment Information: The program starts Friday, October 15th from 12 pm to 1 pm and continues for 16 weeks. The cost of the program is $25 (scholarship money is available). To sign up, contact Renée Kemske at rkemske@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-2380.
After the 16 weeks, there are follow-up sessions to help participants continue the positive lifestyle changes learned during the program. |
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness on a topic that is often stigmatized. In addition to shifting public perception, organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide with a goal of ensuring that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will highlight “Together for Mental Health” throughout the month of September which encourages people to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care. NAMI wants any person experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors to have a number to call, a system to turn to, that would connect them to the treatment and support they need.
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
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately. |
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Free COVID-19 Vaccine ClinicsVaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, please bring your vaccination card with the record of your first dose. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.
***Need a third shot because you are immunocompromised?***
Visit our Chapel Hill location Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm at 2501 Homestead Rd. The Hillsborough location is not currently
Pop-Up Walk-In Vaccine Clinics
In addition to our regularly scheduled walk-in clinics (see graphic above), the Orange County Health Department is pleased to offer pop-up vaccine clinics to all community members ages 12 and older. No registration required, these are walk-in clinics.
Good Neighbor Initiative Breakfast
Hargraves Community Center
216 N. Roberson St., Chapel Hill
Saturday, September 18th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Event Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/867038480595269/
Old North State Medical Society will be running the clinic and will give out $25 gift cards to first dose recipients.
Last Fridays at the Old Courthouse in Hillsborough
104 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC
Friday, September 24th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Flyer: English/Español
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
940 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill, NC
Saturday, September 25 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Flyers: English/Español
Notting Hill Apartments
100 Drew Ln., Chapel Hill, NC
Friday, October 1st from 9:00 am - 3:00pm
Flyers: English/Español
Orange High School
500 Orange High School Rd., Hillsborough, NC
Saturday, October 2nd from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Flyers: English/Español
Last Fridays (at the old Courthouse in Hillsborough)
104 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC
Friday, October 29th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Flyers: English/Español
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North Carolina Is A 'Hotspot' For Colorectal Cancer In Black Men
Published September 8, 2021 at 2:26 PM EDT
Colorectal cancer, cancer that affects the colon and rectum, is personal for Charles Rogers.
Rogers recently went back home to rural North Carolina for a family cookout and found out one of his cousins was 17 years overdue for his colonoscopy.
The Sanford native and assistant professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine has devoted his research to inequalities in men’s health.
“I gave him a little education about the importance of screening,” Rogers said.
Rogers’ research showed that Black men are disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer and North Carolina has multiple hotspots for early onset of the disease, according to a 2020 article he co-authored that was published in the American Journal of Cancer Research.
As a Black man from rural North Carolina Rogers knows those disparities aren’t just numbers. They could be people he loves.
“Don't you want to be around here for your grandkids?” Rogers asked his cousin. Then he gave his cousin his phone number and told him to send him a screenshot after he received his test and he’d give him $100.
Colorectal cancer is the same disease that killed Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman last August at just 43 years old. Boseman’s death helped raise awareness of the dangers of letting colorectal cancer — which is highly treatable when discovered early — go undetected.
Much still needs to be done, Rogers said.
For years, the traditional age to start screening for colorectal cancer was 50, but research suggests that people are getting sick younger. The incidence of colorectal cancer has increased by almost 15 percent from 2000-2002 to 2014-2016.
“The narrative has to change,” Rogers said. “That it's no longer an old man’s disease. Women can get it too. A lot of people just think it's something old white men get, and you don’t have to get screened until your fifties.”
That increased incidence is what prompted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to recently lower its recommendation for screening to include adults starting at age 45 in May. This follows the 2018 change the American Cancer Society made of lowering the screening benchmark to the same age, 45.
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Hispanic Heritage Month/ Mes de la Herencia HispanaToday we celebrate the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. We made this video last year for to remind people as we celebrate with friends and family to do it in the safest way possible. This year we are so lucky to have the vaccines to keep us safe! #getyourshot
Hoy celebramos el primer día del Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Hicimos este video el año pasado para recordarle a la gente que celebren de la manera más segura posible. #vacunate
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National Preparedness Month Week 3:
Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness- Download or order your free preparedness products to help your family plan and prepare for the next emergency. www.ready.gov/publications
- Drills aren’t just for your toolbox. Practice emergency drills with your family regularly.
- Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead: www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
- Make preparing fun for kids! Go on a scavenger hunt around your house for items you already have to add to your disaster supply kit. Follow this list: www.ready.gov/kit and see how many items you can check off!
- Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed.
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 1,315,427 COVID-19 cases, 15,405 deaths, and 3,630 hospitalizations. 52% of North Carolina's population is fully vaccinated.
There are currently 10,649 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 102 deaths in Orange County. 79% of Orange County residents are fully vaccinated.
For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around 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.
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