COVID-19 Updates: May, 21 2020
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Orange County Moves to "Safer at Home" Phase Two
Contact: Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager and
Public Information Officer
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2462
LINK TO MEDIA RELEASE
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. May 21, 2020 –Governor Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that North Carolina will take a cautious step toward Phase Two of its reopening plan, effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22nd. Phase Two lifts the Stay At Home order and moves the state into a “Safer At Home” recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness.
Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said, “A crowd is still going to be a dangerous thing until we are further along in defeating this virus. It’s something we need to continue to avoid. The best defense against this virus, until there is a vaccine, is physical distance from other people. We know those who are infected do not always show symptoms so we must all be vigilant.”
Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Penny Rich said, “The responsibility to reopen our community in a smart manner is on all of us as individuals. This disease is still affecting people in Orange County, and we know the virus does not care about county lines. Even as we open, people should be wearing face coverings, staying 6 feet apart from others, and continuing to wash their hands frequently – these are keys to our success moving forward.”
The order allows restaurants to open at reduced capacity and also allows personal care, grooming, tattoo shops, and swimming pools to open with distancing and cleaning requirements.
The Orange County Emergency Declaration differs from the state order by:
- Requiring restaurant, personal care, grooming, tattoo and retail employees and staff to wear a face covering while on duty. This requirement does not apply to people whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face covering, people who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition, and people who are under twelve years of age.
- Recommending that all businesses require customers to wear a face covering while inside the business.
- Tables at restaurants are limited to no more than six people (the state order allows up to 10). However, more than six people may sit together at the same table if they are members of the same household.
- Clarifying that meetings of public bodies (such as elected or appointed boards, commissions or councils) are limited to no more than 10 people indoors. Worship services, spiritual gatherings, weddings, and funerals are exempt from this restriction.
Face Coverings in PublicThe state’s executive order strongly recommends that people wear a cloth face covering on the nose and mouth when they leave home and may be within six feet of other people who are not household and family members. This would include indoor community, public, and business settings. These coverings function to protect other people more than the wearer. Face coverings should also be worn outdoors when you cannot stay at least six feet away from other people. Some populations experience increased anxiety and fear of bias and being profiled if wearing face coverings in public spaces, but everyone should adhere to this guidance without fear of profiling or bias. If someone is the target of ethnic or racial intimidation as the result of adhering to the protective nose and mouth covering guidance or as a result of the pandemic, they are encouraged to report the matter to local law enforcement agencies. Mass GatheringsThe Executive Order maintains a limit of 10 people for mass gatherings indoors but exempts worship services, spiritual gatherings, weddings and funerals. The limit on mass gatherings is expanded to 25 for outdoor gatherings. Physical distancing requirements remain in place. Bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters, gyms, exercise facilities, museums, nightclubs and other locations must remain closed. However, gyms may conduct outdoor activities in groups of 25 or smaller while meeting the physical distancing requirements. The order allows indoor and outdoor swimming pools to open, with capacity restrictions, and provides guidance for day and overnight summer camps. The order allows public parks and trails to open and that individual groups cannot exceed the limit of 25 for outdoor mass gatherings. Playgrounds remain closed, including those in public parks. Helpful Links Additional Tips to Flatten the CurveTo lower the risk of spreading respiratory infections, including COVID-19, the Orange County Health Department also encourages everyone to: - 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, or 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.
- Call your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms.
Face coverings are recommended when you leave the house and may be near other people who are not family or household members. Reliable InformationFor the latest information and guidance relating to Orange County’s COVID-19 response: Interim Guidance for:
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See THIS LINK for a comprehensive list of food resources.
Below is update information about Orange County Schools food pick up for families of OCS students.
The food is the same as what the students receive during the school year, it is packaged on site in order to meet USDA requirements for safety and transportation.
PICK UP SITES:
Pick Up time frame is 11:00am - 12:00pm - Fairview Community Garden - Tulip Tree Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
- Cedar Grove Community Center - 5800 NC Highway 86 N, Hillsborough, 27278
- Efland Cheeks Community Center - 117 Richmond Rd, Mebane NC 27302
- Cedar Ridge High School - 1125 New Grady Brown School Road, Hillsborough 27278
- Partnership Academy School - 1006 Storey Lane, Hillsborough 27278
- Central Elementary - 154 Hayes St., Hillsborough, 27278
- New Horizon Church - 100 Horizon Pl., Durham, 27705
- Mebane Mobile Home Park 202 Supper Club Road Mebane, NC 27302
Drop Off Locations:- Howe St., Durham, 27705 (in the parking lot near the row of mailboxes). Staff will be onsite to provide meals for pick up at this drop-off site between 11:30 am-12:00 pm.
- New Horizon Church, 100 Horizon Place, Durham 27705. Staff members and church volunteers will be onsite to provide meals for pick up at this drop-off site between 11:00 am-11:30 am.
- Supper Club Road, Mebane 27302 (across the street from 205 Supper Club Rd. near grey mailboxes). Staff will be onsite to provide meals for pick up at this drop- off site between 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.
- Dixie Avenue, Hillsborough 27278 (at entrance) from 12:00pm - 12:30pm.
- Torain Street, Hillsborough 27278 (near the park) from 12:30pm - 1:00pm.
- Formax Drive, Durham 27705 (near the mailboxes) from 11:00am -11:20am.
- Wilkins Drive, Durham 27705 (near row of mailboxes) from 12:15pm - 12:45pm.
- Sunset Place, Durham 27705 (entrance) from 12:40pm - 1:00pm.
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What is it?
• “Duke Community Health Watch” is an approved 28-day symptom monitoring program to enhance the COVID-19 pandemic response.
• Open to all individuals in the United States of all ages.
Why should I sign up?
• Helps you safely manage symptoms related to COVID-19 at home.
• Helps you follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and public health departments to self-monitor symptoms related to COVID-19.
• We send you reminders twice a day in email and text messages to report your COVID-19 related symptoms and COVID-19 test results.
• While entering symptoms into surveys, we present you information about the severity of your symptoms and the potential need to seek medical care or call 911.
• If you report severe symptoms or stop reporting symptoms, we call you to assess the severity of your symptoms and provide you information about seeking appropriate medical care.
What is the impact?
• Helps people safely manage symptoms related to COVID-19 at home.
• Improve the COVID-19 pandemic response for people and populations.
• Characterize COVID-19 disease progression, identify risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection, and improve how health systems plan for inpatient and outpatient capacity for the COVID-19 response.
Who should sign up for this?
• Anyone with flu-like symptoms, viral test orders for COVID-19, confirmed COVID-19, or concern for exposure to COVID-19.
• Anyone who is concerned about exposure to COVID-19.
• You do not need to have COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms to enroll.
What do I have to do?
• Enroll in the study on the study website (https://covidwatch.dukehealth.org).
• Report symptoms twice a day for 28 days using a cell phone or computer.
What do I do if I have questions?
• For information about the study, visit https://covidwatch.dukehealth.org.
• Call 919-684-7979 or email covidwatch@duke.edu
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Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness month. During the pandemic, caring for one's mental health is extremely important. Cardinal Innovations made a helpful guide to 31 things you can do to care for yourself. It is also available in SPANISH. |
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 20,860 COVID-19 cases, 578 hospitalizations as of May 21, 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 291 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 39 deaths.
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This Memorial Day weekend, practice social distancing by putting space between yourself and others. Continue to practice healthy habits to help slow the spread of #COVID19. Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Please respect their sacrifice by putting space between yourself and others this weekend. When you do have to go out, wear a cloth face covering and keep your hands clean.
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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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