COVID-19 Updates: July 2, 2020
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Orange County Press Release |
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MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager and
Public Information Officer
kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2462
LINKS TO MEDIA RELEASE:
English: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11734/celebrate_fourth_of_july_safely-English
Spanish: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11735/celebrate_fourth_of_july_safely-Spanish
Chinese: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11733/celebrate_fourth_of_july_safely--Chinese1
The Orange County Health Department Urges the Community to Celebrate
Fourth of July Safely
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. July 1, 2020 – Celebrations with crowds that do not follow proper physical distancing guidelines could lead to extended restrictions in North Carolina and Orange County.
“The increase in positive COVID-19 cases in North Carolina is very likely associated with increased gatherings during the Memorial Day holiday,” says Orange County Health
Director Quintana Stewart. “We are urging everyone to continue safe practices, especially during the holiday weekend, so we don’t see an additional spike in cases in the coming weeks.”
North Carolina and Orange County are currently in Safer-At-Home, Phase Two of re-opening until at least July 17. Safer-at-home orders limit indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor to 25 people. People should still wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet distance from others when they gather with people that are not from their household.
Celebrate Safely
Holidays like the Fourth of July are usually celebrated in large crowds and with family and friends, but we must adapt to protect those we love and care about. Consider celebrating Independence Day differently this year:
Don’t Add Fireworks to your At-Home CelebrationMany area events have been cancelled due to COVID-19. All fireworks which explode or are projected into the air are illegal in North Carolina. Those include Roman candles, aerial fireworks, bottle rockets, and firecrackers. Even fireworks that don’t explode or leave the ground can be dangerous. For example, sparklers burn at around 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt some metals. If you do intend to use fireworks to celebrate July 4 th, please read these important firework safety tips from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Face Coverings RequiredRemember your Three WsWhile we are able to do more outside of our homes in phase two, COVID-19 is not over, and we need to take steps to limit the spread of the virus. If you must go out, remember your three Ws: - Wear a face covering (remember it should cover both your nose and mouth);
- Wait 6 feet apart from others who don’t live in your household; and
- Wash your hands frequently.
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Viruses do not discriminate...but our country does
The Black Community and COVID-19
Part lV
Testing
July 2, 2020 |
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One critical public health strategy to ensure equitable access to diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, is to provide free testing in areas where vulnerable populations live. These populations include the elderly, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, immigrant and refugee communities, members of the LGBTQIAA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Ally) community, essential workers, individuals experiencing homelessness and many other groups.
On Friday, June 5th, Orange County Health Department (OCHD), in partnership with UNC and Mt. Zion AME Church in Hillsborough, provided free COVID-19 testing and resources for local residents. A large number of people were able to get tested, and received health education and resource materials, including free masks.
Mobile testing locations, often referred to as “drive-through” or “pop up” locations, are available throughout the Triangle, but this was the first such test site in Orange County.
The event was a success and the demand so strong that OCHD is now doing research to identify additional locations to hold future testing events. As with all tools, testing has its limitations. Your test results are a point in time type of data, informing you of your COVID-19 status only at the time of testing. We know, however, that mobile testing serves an important purpose for those who lack transportation or health insurance, or who prefer a location close by that is a known source of community and safety.
In the 2019 Orange County Community Health Assessment, 25% of respondents expressed having issues accessing health care. Health disparities in COVID-19 positive cases also highlights the need for mobile testing. The table below illustrates these disparities:
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Note: This data is updated regularly and can be found at the Orange County Health Department website. The Community Health Assessment can be found here.
Other Orange County organizations such as Piedmont Health Services and El Centro Hispano offers drive-through testing in the area. For example, Piedmont offers drive-through clinics in certain locations throughout Lee County. Check their Facebook page for information on the latest events.
El Centro Hispano also offers drive-through sites, located in Raleigh, and now offers health appointments and testing at their Durham office location. Find out more on their Facebook page.
NCDHHS maintains a list of all mobile “pop up” testing sites in North Carolina. This list is regularly updated.
We support efforts to make testing as widely available as possible and are grateful to our community partners for their efforts to help make it happen. To date, in Orange County, 6% of all electronic lab reported tests are positive. That figure is updated regularly here. Let’s work together to share information on testing so that all who need a test can get a test!
Interested in learning more about COVID-19 testing? Check out this episode on pop up testing on the Tested Podcast at WUNC.
Where To Get Tested For COVID-19 In Orange County: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2451/Testing |
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 68,142 COVID-19 cases, 1,391 deaths, and 912 hospitalizations, as of July 2, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day at 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. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday.
There are currently 715 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 41 deaths.
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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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