COVID-19 Updates: May, 5 2020
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Walgreens: New COVID-19 Testing Site |
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Walgreens has partnered with HHS to open drive-thru testing facilities in North Carolina. COVID-19 testing will be provided to eligible individuals at no cost.
Currently, the closest testing site for Orange County residents, is located at the Walgreens on Guess Rd. in Durham, NC. The address is listed below:
Walgreens Pharmacy
3793 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705
Who is eligible?
Eligible individuals, based on CDC guidelines*, include: - Individuals, 18+ years of age with symptoms
- First responders, with or without symptoms
- Healthcare workers, with or without symptoms
How do I sign up?
- First take an online assessment to determine eligibility at www.walgreens.com/Covid19Testing and, if qualified, you will be directed to select a location and an appointment time.
Where is the testing site?
- Drive-thru testing will be conducted by appointment only in select locations in our parking lots.
How is the test administered?
- The test is conducted with a self-administered nasal swab with directions by Walgreens pharmacists at our testing site.
More information regarding testing can be found here. |
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NC Passes COVID-19 Relief Package
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COVID-19 $1.57 Billion State Spending Plan Enacted
Over the weekend the General Assembly passed two bills related to COVID-19 relief policies and funds. Today the Governor signed both bills approving the plans that will direct approximately $1.57 billion in federal aid coming to North Carolina from the CARES Act, enacted in late March. The state expects to receive $3.5 billion in total.
The two bills, S. 704 and H. 1043, outline how funds will be used and make policy changes meant to provide needed support or relief to various sectors. The bills direct funds to be used for personal protective equipment, university research, testing, contact tracing, small business loans and food banks. However, neither bill includes direct provisions regarding specific uses of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG-CV) coming from the CARES Act. The first tranche of CDBG-CV includes $28.5 million to North Carolina’s non-entitlement areas. With the General Assembly opting to leave this pot of funds to be directed by the state, the Governor will be outlining how those funds will be administered. The course of action will also likely dictate how the 2nd and 3rd tranches of CDBG-CV will be administered. The guest on this week’s Housing Call will discuss how plans are shaping up. Regarding the Workforce Housing Loan Program and Housing Trust Fund, both programs went unaddressed in the final legislation. The Coalition will continue to advocate for funding of these programs when legislators reconvene. Both chambers adjourned after passing the COVID-19 related bills. They are expected to return on May 18 to resume work on directing the remainder of NC’s CARES Act funds and to conduct “normal” Short Session business, such as the budget. For more information, please visit NC Housing Coalition's webpage. |
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Communities in Partnership:
Ensuring Equity in the Time of COVID-19 |
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North Carolina COVID-19 CasesThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 12,256 COVID-19 cases, 534 hospitalizations and 452 deaths as of May 5, 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 230 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 18 deaths.Social distancing is extremely important to limit the spread of COVID-19. Included below are infographics in English, Spanish and Chinese that give tips on social distancing. Orange County encourages residents to practice social distancing along with other steps, such as proper hand washing, to combat the spread. Spanish, Chinese, Kinyarwanda, Chinese and Karen versions of the graphics below are available here. |
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COVID-19 and Mental Health:American Public Health Association (APHA)
De-Stress Sessions |
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Between May 7, 2020 and July 22, 2020, the Public Health Education and Health Promotion (PHELP) section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) is hosting six, 20 to 30-minute de-stress sessions on Zoom.
During each session, you will be introduced to a stress management and relaxation technique by a facilitator and have a chance to practice the technique.
The session topics are listed with their dates and times below.
By RSVPing to this event, the organizers (Gwen Francavillo, Ashley Love, and Samantha Cinnick) will send you emails with the links to join the sessions.
Gentle Chair Yoga and Guided Imagery-Facilitator: Dr. Gwendolyn Francavillo - Thursday, May 7th 3-3:30 pm EDT
Mindfulness Meditation for Turbulent Times-Facilitator: Dr. S.D. Shanti - Wednesday, May 20th 4-4:30 EDT
Deep Breathing-Facilitator: Dr. Sara Pappa - Thursday, June 4th 3-3:30 pm EDT
Body Scan-Facilitator: Dr. Julia Doto - Wednesday, June 17th 4-4:30 pm EDT
Calming Breath-Faciliator: Dr. Jacque Johnson - Thursday, July 9th 3-3:30 pm EDT
Stress-Proof Yourself-Faciliator: Dr. S.D. Shanti - Wednesday, July 22nd 4-4:30 pm EDT
To access the free webinar series, please register here. |
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National Air Quality Awareness Week, May 4th-8th
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This week, May 4 th-May 8 th, marks the 14 th annual National Air Quality Awareness Week, with the theme this year being 'Better Air, Better Health.' The daily themes are linked below, with English and Spanish translations available: Today, May 5th is World Asthma Day, a day dedicated to promoting awareness about a disease that affects 5-10% of the human population. Asthma is a chronic condition where the air passages in a person’s lungs easily become swollen or inflamed. It affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood. While all the causes are not known, genetic, environmental, and occupational factors can all contribute to the development of asthma. Asthma affects more than 24 million Americans, including over 6 million children.
Orange County Health Department's Healthy Homes Program serves families with children who have asthma.
If you live in Orange County and struggle to control your child’s asthma, you may qualify for a Healthy Homes Assessment. Healthy Homes is a free program for families that can help you take control of your child’s asthma. It has been proven to significantly reduce emergency room visits and improve asthma symptoms.
We serve any family who resides in Orange County and has a child under 18.
Although we are not doing home-visiting at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if you are concerned about environmental asthma triggers in your home, including air quality or moisture issues, mold/mildew, or pest concerns, please contact:
Krishnaveni Balakrishnan, Healthy Homes Coordinator
Email: kbalakrishnan@orangecountync.gov
Phone Number: (919) 245-2379 |
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National Recognition for Nurses
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Read below about National Nurses Month, from the American Nurses Association:
Honoring our nation’s nurse heroes is more profoundly significant than the American Nurses Association (ANA) anticipated when we extended the traditional National Nurses Week to a month of recognition in May. The global COVID-19 pandemic quickly shifted the focus from the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, but now more than ever we must support and recognize nurses who work with courage and compassion and under extremely challenging circumstances.
Whether it is a national health emergency or routine daily care, nurses’ vital contributions impact the health and well-being of our communities, which is why ANA selected the theme for May as Nurses Make a Difference. To honor nurses and support the nursing profession, ANA will promote weekly themes and activities. While continued physical distancing may limit our face-to-face activities, we encourage everyone to think of creative ways to virtually engage.
The month will be divided into four weekly focuses:
Week 1: Self Care
Week 2: Recognition
Week 3: Professional Development
Week 4: Community Engagement
Orange County Health Department honors and recognizes our local heroes who are serving on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We would also like to recognize our amazing team of nurses who are contributing to the COVID-19 efforts. Without you, none of our work would be possible!! |
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Housing Resources for Students Impacted by COVID-19 |
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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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