Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Now that we have taken the BIG step of dismissing schools and asking staff to work from home, what exactly does social distancing mean? Follow these rules so we can lessen the impact of COVID-19 in Orange County, NC.

Key Point 1:

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow, so, too, does the level of fear and confusion. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) updated the number of cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, statewide to 34, including:

• 15 in Wake County
• 1 in Durham County
• 1 in Chatham County
• 1 in Wilson County
• 2 in Harnett County
• 2 in Johnston County
• 1 in Wayne County
• 1 in Watauga County
• 2 in Forsyth County
• 1 in Cabarrus County
• 4 in Mecklenburg County
• 1 in Craven County
• 1 in Onslow County
• 1 in Brunswick County

We expect these numbers to grow. For more information regarding live updates, visit the NCDHHS website.

Our main focus is assuring our community that Orange County is prepared for COVID-19. 

Our community will work together to get through this. OCHD is working with NCDHHS, N.C. Emergency Management (NCEM), local health care providers, local first responders, local schools/universities, county and municipal partners to make sure we have resources needed to respond. If people are in a panic they don’t think clearly so it is important for us to reassure them.

Disease outbreaks are ‘not new to Public Health Departments,’ said Kristin Prelipp, with the OCHD. ‘They are the bread and butter of our Communicable Disease team.’ We have a pandemic plan in place at all times. This coronavirus is a new strain so we are adjusting our Pandemic Influenza Plan to meet the needs of this particular outbreak. UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus and all UNC Health hospitals have the ability to care for patients with COVID-19. Any patient or patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 will be cared for locally in an isolation space. In-patient locations have been designated at each UNC Health hospital and teams have been trained to treat patients if needed. However, as with any patient, we will consider transferring the patient if their clinical condition warrants a higher-acuity level of care. The hospital is prepared for the potential increase in hospital admittances of people wanting to be tested for the coronavirus.

Key Point 2:

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is important. These non-pharmaceutical interventions will help us to slow the spread of the disease. The less people that get COVID-19, the less it will spread. While it seems extreme to cancel events, it is a prudent measure. As you know, UNC has extended their spring break and on-line classes will follow. This action will save lives and flatten the curve. We need to set the expectation with the community that life as we knew it is different now. If you have a meeting, consider making it a conference call. If you were planning a large event, you may want to consider postponing it.
NC DHHS recommends that people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid large groups of people as much as possible. This includes gatherings such as concert venues, conventions, church services, sporting events and crowded social events. People who are high risk should also avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
People at high risk include anyone:

• Over 65 years of age, and/or anyone with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and weakened immune systems.

Key Point 3:

The final key message for this week is the most basic but most important advice; Proper hand washing and not touching your face. We have PDFs and social media graphics about this on the website. The county has posted them in all bathrooms. They are in multiple languages. We will have an audio version in Kinyarwanda, Karen and Arabic available very soon.
Please remind our community to:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Wash with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. If water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your face. You cannot get sick from this virus if it does not enter your nose, mouth or eyes.
  • Cough and sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, then throw away the tissue.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you or a family member is sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently used objects and surfaces.
  • People with mild symptoms should stay home and rest. People who are severely ill or at high risk for severe illness should stay home and call their health care provider.

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Lung disease

For more information

Contact Information

For general questions (not urgent) about 2019 Novel Coronavirus, contact NCDHHS at:
ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov

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 a.m. to 5 p.m.) the message will direct you to press 5 to either be connected to the Communicable Disease team or to leave a message for staff. We are actively monitoring this message box and will get back to you quickly. 
After-hours, call 911 and ask for the Communicable Disease Staff member on-call.

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at:
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov
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
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC