Orange County Health News
July 28, 2021

CDC Recommends Indoor Masking for Vaccinated Individuals in High-Risk Counties

To prevent the further spread of the Delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas where the COVID-19 virus has substantial or high community transmission. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, Orange County currently has moderate, but not substantial or high, community transmission.

Concerning Trends in Cases and Hospitalizations

After weeks at some of the lowest levels of COVID-19 since last year, the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County have begun to rise again. An uptick is not unexpected as restrictions on activities are relaxed, but the rising numbers should prompt all of us – vaccinated as well as unvaccinated – to take extra precautions. The three W’s- washing your hands, wearing a mask, and waiting six feet always lower the risk of transmission. However, vaccination is the most effective tool against COVID-19. People who are unvaccinated are at risk for infection by the more contagious and potentially more dangerous Delta variant. Getting a free, effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is easy. Learn more: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2617/Vaccine.

Orange County Extends Local Emergency Declaration Indefinitely

With hospitalizations increasing and the Delta variant spreading, Orange County has extended the local COVID-19 related State of Emergency declaration indefinitely, The extension went into effect Friday, July 23, at 5 p.m.

Orange County's percent positive rate of COVID tests was at 0.4 percent, the week of June 6-12, but has increased steadily since, reaching 1.3% for the week of July 4-10 and 2.9% for the week of July 11-17. Most of the new cases are amongst unvaccinated individuals and are caused by the rapidly spreading Delta variant.

The Health Department continues to urge individuals who are eligible for a vaccine to get the shot. Learn more about how to schedule an appointment here.

Orange County will continue to follow the terms of Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 220 related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. As noted in Executive Order 220, the Local Education Agencies of Orange County, together with all other public and private schools in Orange County, shall comply with the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.

Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Chapel Hill Vaccine Clinics

2501 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
(Closed for holidays)

Please call 919-913-8088 to schedule an appointment
Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen are available

Hillsborough Vaccine Clinics

2nd Floor, 300 W Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
Monday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
*Closed on Monday, August 9; Thursday, August 12; Friday, August 13

Please call 877-505-6723 to schedule an appointment
Please call 919-913-8088 for questions
Moderna and Pfizer are available

Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic

In addition to our regularly scheduled walk-in clinics (see above), the Orange County Health Department is pleased to offer a pop-up vaccine clinic to all community members ages 12 and older. We encourage you to register by calling 919-913-8088 or by visiting https://www.myspot.nc.gov. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Last Fridays in Hillsborough
104 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC (the old courthouse in Hillsborough)
Friday, July 30th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Flyer: English/Español

National Night Out at Gateway Apartments
400 Lakeside Dr., Hillsborough, NC
Tuesday, August 3rd from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
***$25 gift cards for 1st dose recipients!***

Sportsplex at Passmore Center
103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, NC
Wednesday, August 4th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Chapel Hill: Clínica de la Vacuna de COVID-19

2501 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Lunes a viernes, 8:30am a 4:30pm
(Estamos cerrados por vacaciones)

Llame al 919-913-0800 para solicitor asistencia

Moderna, Pfizer y Janssen están disponsibles

Hillsborough: Clínica de la Vacuna de COVID-19

El segundo piso en 300 W Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278

Lunes a sábado, 9:00am a 5:00pm

*Cerrado lunes el 9 de agosto; jueves el 12 de agosto; viernes el 13 de agosto

Llama al 877-505-6723 para registrarse
Llama al 919-913-8088 para solicitor asistencia

Moderna y Pfizer están disponsibles

Clínica Emergente Para Vacunarse Contra La COVID-19

Gratis y no se requiere ni identificación ni aseguranza. Abierto a todos los miembros de la comunidad de 12 años y mayores. ¡Comparte este volante con familiares y amigos! Inscríbase llamando al 919-913-8088 o visite a https://www.myspot.nc.gov.

Los viernes últimos en Hillsborough 
104 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC
Viernes, 30 de julio del 2021 de 6:00 pm a 9:00 pm “Last Fridays”

Noche Nacional para Salir, Gateway Apartments
400 Lakeside Dr., Hillsborough, NC
Martes, 3 de agosto de 2021, 6:00pm a 8:30pm

Sportsplex, Passmore Center
103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough, NC
Miércoles, 4 de agosto de 2021, 4:00pm a 7:00pm

Ticks and Tick-borne Illnesses

Tick-borne Illnesses Include

• Lyme Disease
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness)

• Wear light colored clothing to spot ticks easier
• Prompt removal of ticks lessens the likelihood of infection
• Cover as much of your skin as possible
• Tuck you pant legs into your socks and tuck in your shirt tail
• Use a repellant containing DEET or permethrin (Follow directions when using repellant)
• Treat pets' kennels and indoor bedding for ticks (Talk to your vet about the best products)

• Keep grass short
• Remove plants that attract animals such as deer and rodents
• Reduce leaf litter under trees to decrease humidity and reduce breeding sites
• Talk to your vet about treatments for your pets
• Reduce shade in your yard and move play equipment to sunny areas
• Use gravel or other dry mulches to keep ticks from traveling into well-used areas

1. Check yourself, your children and your pets at least every six hours. Quickly remove any ticks. Pay particular attention to the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and the groin, which are favorite places for ticks to attach.
2. Use fine-tipped tweezers or shield your fingers with a tissue, paper towel, or rubber gloves. Watch a video about proper tick removal.
3. Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick; this may cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick.
4. After removal, disinfect the bite site and wash hands with soap and water.
5. Note the date you removed the tick and save it in case you become ill. This may help your doctor make a correct diagnosis. Place the tick in a plastic bag and put it in your freezer or drop it in a small container of alcohol.
6. If you have any signs or symptoms of tick-borne disease in the month following a bite, get medical help. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by development of rash. Symptoms of Lyme disease include "bull's-eye" rash accompanied by nonspecific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint aches.

CDC Report Highlights N.C. Efforts in Vaccine Distribution Among Minority Population

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report Thursday highlighting North Carolina’s focus on equity in administering COVID-19 vaccines to Black and Hispanic communities.

"From the start, North Carolina has focused on getting shots into arms in a way that's fast and fair and I applaud state health officials for the progress we’ve made," Gov. Roy Cooper said. "By building our own system and making equity a critical part of our vaccine distribution plan, we've been able to better protect our historically under served communities from this virus."

From December 2020 to April 2021, the report shows the proportion of vaccines distributed to members of the state’s Black population increased from 9% to 19% and 4% to 10% among the state’s Hispanic population.

“We’ve built equity into every aspect of our vaccine distribution,” said Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “Our commitment to equitable vaccine distribution is one piece of our continued work to address and dismantle systemic and structural barriers to health equity.”

The strategies used by North Carolina, which are highlighted in the CDC's report, include:

• Increasing vaccine supply allotments for counties with larger populations from historically marginalized communities, particularly when the state was focused on vaccinating people 65 and older
• Outlining clear expectations that vaccine providers should be vaccinating historically marginalized populations at least proportionate to their representation in their local community
• Promoting partnerships between vaccination providers and community- and faith-based organizations, with focused communication activities and toolkits to support access to vaccination for Black and Hispanic people

You can find more information about the state’s strategies and metrics by visiting the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service's website or by clicking here.

North Carolina Hepatitis A Outbreak Surpasses 1,000 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced yesterday that the state has surpassed 1,000 reported cases of hepatitis A associated with a national outbreak that began in April 2017. 63% of cases have required hospitalization and 16 people have died.
 
Since 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received more than 41,000 reports of hepatitis A linked to a national outbreak with higher than expected hospitalization and death rates. North Carolina has been tracking this outbreak since April 2018, and reported cases have increased significantly since August 2020. NCDHHS and local health departments are coordinating outreach events, conducting case investigations and contact tracing, and providing hepatitis A vaccine to those at risk.

Since Jan. 1, 2021, 495 outbreak associated cases of hepatitis A were reported, indicating a marked increase in transmission. Of those cases, 13% are also infected with hepatitis B and 48% with hepatitis C. Because hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver, people with other forms of viral hepatitis or anyone with underlying liver disease is at risk of more serious illness if infected.

Today is World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to increase awareness and encourage the health and safety of those at-risk for and living with viral hepatitis, and health officials are reminding North Carolinians a safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine is available for free at all local health departments to people in high-risk groups for this outbreak, including people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing and men who have sex with men.

"The best way to protect yourself against hepatitis A is through vaccination," said Dr. Erica Wilson, vaccine preventable disease medical director in NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health. "As always, good hand-washing is key, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Using harm reduction strategies and syringe service programs is also key in reducing the risk for people who use drugs."

Hepatitis A is a contagious, but vaccine-preventable liver infection that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to severe illness lasting several months. It is usually transmitted through food or water that has been contaminated with small, undetectable amounts of feces from a contagious person. Individuals who use drugs, are experiencing homelessness and men who have sex with men are at highest risk for infection during the current outbreak. 
 
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and stomach pain. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), dark-colored urine and clay-colored bowel movements may also occur. These symptoms appear 15-50 days (average 28 days) following infection with the virus. Young children can be infected without apparent symptoms.
 
NCDHHS advises anyone with symptoms of hepatitis A to contact their health care provider or their local health department to be tested and linked to care assistance. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms should refrain from preparing food for others. Patients can transmit the virus to others in the two weeks before and one week after jaundice appears.

People with serious underlying medical conditions, such as hepatitis A, may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be safe and effective against the virus and its variants. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 1,041,609 COVID-19 cases, 13,606 deaths, and 1,091 hospitalizations. 

50% of North Carolina's population is at least partially vaccinated, and 47% is fully vaccinated.

There are currently 8,761 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 101 deaths in Orange County. 66% of Orange County residents are at least partially vaccinated, and 64% 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. 

More information may be found at www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

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
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