COVID-19 Updates: August, 26 2020 |
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To our subscribers: Thank you so much for subscribing to and reading the COVID-19 Newsletter! We have been sending newsletters out twice a week occurring on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Going forward, the newsletter will be sent once a week on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to: |
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Health Department Creates Videos to Help
Churches and Faith Communities
Plan Outdoor Services during COVID-19 |
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HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. August 24, 2020 The Orange County Health Department has produced a video series to educate Orange County churches and faith communities on how to safely conduct outdoor services during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the current “Safer at Home” order, worship services are exempt from the mass gathering limits. The videos are available in English and Spanish.
Orange County Environmental Health Director, Victoria Hudson, requested the educational materials due to an increased number of inquiries from local churches who wanted guidance on how to conduct outdoor services. In response, Environmental Health created a program in which interested parties fill out a form to submit their COVID-19 Safety Plan for review. The video series helps congregations to gather information and materials for a COVID-19 Safety Plan as well as explains current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines.
Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager and Public information Officer for the Health Department said, “We know that faith and connecting with one’s church is a very important part of many people’s lives. Especially during the pandemic, it is important to engage in activities that support one’s mental health and well-being. We hope these videos will educate churches on how to be able to worship in the safest way possible.”
Links to Videos, Plan Review and Downloadable Signage for Outdoor Services:
Religion and Worship Services in COVID-19: www.orangecountync.gov/worship This page contains guidance for places of worship and religious services, including the video series, helpful links and answers to frequently asked questions.
Reliable Information
For the latest information and guidance relating to Orange County’s COVID-19 response:
- Visit www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus.
- Receive daily text updates on the crisis by texting 888-777 with OCNCHEALTH for English speakers and OCNCSALUD for Spanish speakers.
- Sign up for a twice weekly e-newsletter about the COVID-19 response via the county website.
- Follow the Orange County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services updates its COVID-19 case count dashboard daily at 12 p.m. |
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Emergency Declaration Extended Until October 31, 2020
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Orange County, North Carolina has extended the State of Emergency through and including October 31, 2020. This extension is an important procedural action that allows governing bodies to continue to meet virtually. It also authorizes Orange County to extend emergency procurement procedures as well as request state and federal aid as needed.
Read the Emergency Declaration: |
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Resources for UNC Students and their Parents
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With the recent shift from in-person to all online instruction at UNC, our local Orange County community has come together to support each other in a number of ways.
A Facebook group has been created by local residents that shares information on resources for families, titled "Local Parents Supporting UNC Students."
For those who are interested, the page is linked here.
UNC has also created a new webpage where students and parents can submit any questions they have. It can be found here. |
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Are you ready to quit tobacco?
Sign up for Orange County Health Department's
Virtual FreshStart Class |
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This is a free class being held virtually where individuals will receive FREE Nicotine Replacement Products, cessation education, counseling and group support.
It is a 1-hour class held for 4 consecutive weeks to assist individuals in their efforts to stop smoking.
Class dates and times: - Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 (6pm-7pm)
- Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 (6pm-7pm)
- Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 (6pm-7pm)
- Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 (6pm-7pm)
To register, please contact Rita Krosner at (919) 245-2480 or email smokefreeoc@orangecountync.gov |
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Drive Thru Food Distribution Site this Thursday! |
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Orange County Housing Helpline |
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Our offices are closed for in-person visits, but staff are working 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday.
For more information regarding our Housing Helpline and Emergency Housing Assistance, please visit our webpage. |
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ACLU: Health Care Providers-A Guide to Best Practices for Protecting Your Rights and Your Patient's Rights |
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Read below, a message from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) regarding guidance to health care providers.
The threat of immigration enforcement and presence of law enforcement at health care facilities deters immigrants and communities of color from seeking needed medical services. Border communities are particularly vulnerable given the frequent presence of Border Patrol agents at hospitals, which is compounded by the enforcement actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that threaten immigrant communities across the country.
The impact of immigration officials’ presence and actions at health care facilities is especially acute during times of public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care providers should be informed of their rights, the rights of their patients, and the steps they can take to protect their patients and ensure access to care without fear or
discrimination. To that end, this factsheet provides information to hospitals, medical centers, community health centers, other health care facilities, health care professionals, medical associations, and advocates on how to prepare for and respond to: A. enforcement actions by immigration officials; B. interactions with law enforcement that could result in immigration consequences for their patients; and C. law enforcement presence that deters access to care. For more information on ACLU's 'guidance to health care providers fact sheet', please visit their webpage. |
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 158,985 COVID-19 cases, 2,606 deaths, and 1,004 hospitalizations, as of August 26, 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 2,090 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 50 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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