COVID-19 Updates: October 28, 2020

NC Gov. Cooper extends Phase 3 of reopening as coronavirus pandemic worsens

Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday extended Phase 3 of the pandemic reopening plan until Nov. 13, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations reach highs not seen since the summer’s worst weeks.

While North Carolina has not experienced the same spikes in coronavirus cases like other states, the state’s new cases plateaued at a level that officials have said is too high. Wednesday, the state counted more than 4,000 COVID-19 related deaths since the coronavirus pandemic started in March.

Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, often use a “dimmer switch” analogy to describe how the state will gradually loosen restrictions on businesses and leisure activity. But the switch has never shifted backward to tighten rules, while some reopening phases have been altered or extended from the plan outlined in the spring.

With new cases rising, the state is asking elected officials in 36 counties, including Wake, Mecklenburg and Johnston, to consider actions to “improve compliance” with executive orders. The 36 counties include the state’s three most populous counties; have had 300 new cases in the last 14 days; or have had more than 50 cases for every 10,000 residents, according to a news release.

Those actions could include adopting ordinances that would impose fines for violating COVID-19 executive orders, and allowing local health directors to issue imminent hazard abatement orders, DHHS said in a Wednesday press release.

The letters were written by Cohen and Erik Hooks, secretary of the state Department of Public Safety.

Cooper said he hopes more local enforcement of health safety measures and the re-emphasis on local authority will drive down viral spread.

“We’re hoping all of that can help us stem the tide that we see coming at us,” he said at a news conference Wednesday. More imminent hazard abatements are expected in the coming days, he said.

Local actions send “a strong signal to businesses that it’s important for the health of the community and the economy of the community for them to take steps to slow the spread of the virus,” Cooper said.

COVID-19 CLUSTERS REPORTED
Cooper announced a three-phased reopening this spring with next steps based on several coronavirus metrics, including cases, hospitalizations, testing and people with COVID-like symptoms.

In Phase 3, which began Oct. 2, bars, entertainment venues, movie theaters and large outdoor venues were allowed to reopen with capacity restrictions.

Capacity limits remain in place for restaurants and breweries. So do limits for mass gatherings — 25 for indoors and 50 for outdoors.

DHHS on Wednesday issued a new report on coronavirus clusters that shows cumulative clusters since April for meat and poultry processing plants, and since May 22 for other gatherings. The report does not give dates when the clusters were identified and notes that it “underrepresents the full scope of clusters and associated cases occurring across the state.”

DHHS said the state has seen an increase in COVID-19 clusters in the last two weeks, with the virus spreading in social gatherings, weddings and funerals. Religious gathering clusters also increased in September, the report said.

Meat packing and poultry plants accounted for the most cluster-associated cases with 3,841 cases and deaths, 19. Universities had the second highest cluster-associated cases, with 1,902, but no deaths. Religious gatherings were third, with 1,040 cases and 13 deaths.

A cluster is considered five or more cases within a 14-day period and a plausible “epidemiologic linkage between cases.”

But many cluster reports are still just reported to health departments voluntarily, including many workplaces, businesses and gatherings.

Cohen and Cooper were asked Wednesday whether they would consider expanding required reporting or creating incentives to encourage it. Cohen said North Carolina, compared to other states, “has some of the most strict reporting requirements for entities.”

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Free Testing Events!

Wednesday at R-7 Lot
Where: R7 Parking Lot
725 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
When:  Wednesday, October 28^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Anyone is welcome to come for a test. Pre-registration is encouraged at https://unityphm.com/campaigns/starmed. Choose Orange County as preferred testing location. COVID-19 tests are free.
 
Links to Flyers:

• ENGLISH
• SPANISH

Sunday at McDougal Middle School
Where: McDougle Middle School
900 Old Fayetteville Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
When:  Sunday, November 1st from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
Anyone is welcome to come for a test. Pre-registration is encouraged at https://unityphm.com/campaigns/starmed. Choose Orange County as preferred testing location. COVID-19 tests are free. For the full testing calendar as well as more information about COVID-19 testing sites, please visit: http://www.orangecountync.gov/Testing
 
Links to Flyers:

• ENGLISH
• SPANISH

Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 in Hillsborough
Where: Whitted Human Services Building
300 W. Tryon St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278
When: Every weekday. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
STARTING MONDAY, OCTOBER 26th: there will be COVID-19 testing every weekday Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm at Whitted Human Services Center. There will be a few exceptions due to holidays or other events (November 3^rd for voting and November 26^th for Thanksgiving).

Links to Flyers:
Weekday Daily Testing in Hillsborough

• ENGLISH
• SPANISH

Be Safe and Have Fun on Halloween!

Chapel Hill

We're gearing up for a haunting Halloween season here in Chapel Hill!

For the entire month of October, we're making every day Halloween with our 31 Programs of Halloween, a lineup of spook-tacular programs that are sure to be scarily entertaining!

We'll have Halloween-themed activities in many different program areas including Adventure, Archery, Arts & Ceramics, Youth & Teens and more. There's a little something for everyone, so join us for some spooky fun!

Most of these programs are outdoors, but a few are indoors with safe, small groups or virtual for fun at a distance. 
 
Outdoor Halloween Programs - Calendar View | List View

All October long, we're celebrating Halloween while also enjoying the wonderful fall weather!

Join us for ghoulish outdoor adventures throughout the month, including a Spooky River Paddle along the Eno on October 10, Zombie Survival Training at Ephesus on October 23, and the Legend of BIGFOOT Trail Track at Cedar Falls Park on October 31.

You can also indulge in your creative side with art and craft projects like painting a gothic scene on canvas on October 2, creating Halloween-themed string art on October 12 or ceramic pumpkin carving on October 18.

Gather the family on October 22 for a fast paced twist on traditional Bingo, with Music Car Bingo and on October 30 for a silly competition, Trick-or-Trivia!  

There are plenty of outdoor Halloween activities to explore, so check them out and see what fits you best!

Indoor Halloween Programs - Calendar View | List View 

While most of our in-person programs are outdoors this October, our archery programs are taking place in the Chapel Hill Community Center gymnasium that are sure to be a SCREAM!

On October 17, come dressed as your favorite archer as you explore the world of archery, enter into a costume contest and play fun archery games like tic-tac-toe and battleship!

Close-toed shoes are required to participate in both programs. As part of our effort to maintain a healthy environment, read our "What to Know Before You Go" handout to learn what we're doing and asking patrons to do differently.

Virtual Halloween Programs - Calendar View | List View

In addition to our in-person Halloween-themed programs, we're also offering a number of virtual programs so you can participate in this spooky season from the comfort of your own home!

Solve puzzles and piece together clues to unravel the mystery behind the Ghost Ship of the Outer Banks and escape its haunted decks! This virtual escape room is free and available for everyone to play in the web browser of any device starting October 1st. Visit https://forms.gle/sLRFW8xtjqimaAoX6 to play. 

Read hauntingly exciting books as a member of our Graveyard Book Club, where you'll have two virtual book parties and play literary games -- costumes encouraged!

Download our Current Program Brochure read about all of our 31 Programs of Halloween!

• Our Current Program Brochure splits 31 Programs of Halloween into three categories, giving you the opportunity to find what programs you might be interested in the most: Shop by Age Groups; Youth & Teens page 6-8 | Teen & Adults page 8-9 | Families, Teens & Adults page 10
• BROWSE all of our remaining fall programs and REGISTER ONLINE! 

UNC

Carrboro

The Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources is excited to share to fun, socially-distant activities for the community to safely enjoy for Halloween!  With traditional activities, such as trick-or-treating being discouraged this year, please consider these alternative activities:

Virtual Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department presents a Virtual Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest for 2020! 

It's super easy and fun, just submit a photo of your carved or decorated pumpkin to dhughes@townofcarrboro.org. Please include in your photo a sign that says “Carrboro 2020”.

All entries are due by 5:00pm on Wednesday, October 28th. Photos will be posted and “Best of Show” winner will be announced on the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec/) on Friday, October 30th.

*Please remember that this is a kid-friendly event and CRPCRD reserves the rights to deny entries deemed inappropriate.

Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department and Weaver Street Market present a Virtual Costume Contest! 

It’s super easy and fun! Pick a category and submit a photo to dhughes@townofcarrboro.org. Please be sure to include which category you are entering. If an age category is selected, you must include your date of birth in the email when you send the photo of your costume. 

Categories are as follows: Age 0-3, Age 4-5, Age 6-10, Age 11-14, Age 15-18, Family/Group.

All entries are due by midnight on Wednesday, October 28th. 

Winners will be announced and winners' photos will be posted on the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec/) on Friday, October 30th by 8:00pm following Stories Under the Stars.

*Please remember that this is a kid-friendly event and CRPCRD reserves the rights to deny entries deemed inappropriate.

Kids' Halloween Prize Bag Pick-Up
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department would like to invite children 10 and Under to dress in their favorite costume and stop by Carrboro Town Commons on Friday, October 30th anytime between 4:30pm-7:00pm to pick up a small prize bag (while supplies last). 

Prize bags will be handed out by staff in the Town Hall Parking Lot off of Bim Street. 

All cars should access Bim Street via Fidelity Street from the North (near Fire Station #1) and follow the directional signs. Following pick-up, vehicles will need to exit the parking lot left onto Bim Street and then right onto Jones Ferry Road. If you are walking or biking (which we highly encourage), please look for the table near the playground. 

Please follow the directional signs and remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

For a map, click HERE.

Virtual Stories Under the Stars
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department and Weaver Street Market present ‘Stories Under the Stars’ on Friday, October 30th at 6:00pm.  Grab a blanket, hot chocolate, cider, and a few cookies and sit back and enjoy some family-friendly spooky tales with our storyteller, Brian Sturm.

This program will be available via the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec/) and the Town of Carrboro YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/CarrboroNC).  For those who cannot make it, the presentation will remain accessible of those platforms.

Hillsborough

2020 American Public Health Association
Annual Meeting and Expo

The APHA Annual Meeting and Expo is the largest and most influential yearly gathering of public health professionals, bringing the public health community together to experience robust scientific programming, networking, social events, poster sessions and more. 

This year the meeting will be held virtually, with the theme being Creating the Healthiest Nation: Preventing Violence.

In line with this year's theme, APHA has shared resources around violence prevention and health. More information is included below:

Injury and Violence Prevention

APHA works with partners such as the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control to bring national attention to the burden of injury and violence and employs a public health approach for its prevention and control. We recognize policy strategies are key in addressing injury and violence prevention at a population-based level as well.

For more information regarding violence prevention resources, please visit the links below:

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Elder Abuse Prevention
• Firearm Violence Prevention
• Intimate Partner Violence Prevention
• Sexual Violence Prevention
• Suicide Prevention
• Youth Violence Prevention 

Gun Violence is a Public Health Crisis

Guns have the potential to greatly amplify violence, as they can inflict serious — often deadly — injuries on many people in a short time. In the United States, gun violence is a major public health problem and a leading cause of premature death.

Burden of Gun Violence
The burden of gun violence in the United States vastly outpaces that in comparable countries:

• Of all firearm deaths in nearly two dozen populous, high-income countries including Australia, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, 82% occur in the U.S., and 91% of children ages 0-14 killed by firearms in this group of nations were from the United States.¹
• Each year, more than 39,000 people in the United States die as a result of gun violence, and tens of thousands more suffer non-fatal gun injuries.² 

• Among U.S. residents ages 15-24, homicide is the fourth leading cause of death for non-Hispanic whites, the second leading cause of death for Hispanics and the leading cause of death for nonHispanic blacks.³  

• While most gun violence does not involve a mass shooting, in 2019 there were 418 mass shootings, killing 464 people and injuring another 1,710.⁴
• Guns are the leading method of suicide in the U.S., accounting for half of all suicide deaths. Attempts of suicide by firearm result in death 85% of the time, compared to just 3% for other methods such as drug overdose. This is significant because nearly 90% of people who survive an attempted suicide do not attempt a second time.⁵  

• The societal costs of firearm assault injury include work loss, medical/mental health care, emergency transportation, police/criminal justice activities, insurance claims processing, employer costs and decreased quality of life.

• Continued Surveillance. In fiscal year 2020, Congress provided $23.5 million to the National Violent Death Reporting System to fund all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Data from surveillance of all 50 states, Puerto Rico and D.C. will provide a more complete picture of gun violence in the United States. Congress should continue to adequately fund this critical resource. 
• More Research. Several laws have effectively restricted federally funded research related to gun violence, as well as access to complete crime gun data,12,13,14 which has resulted in a significant gap in available research into the causes of gun violence. For example, there is: almost no credible evidence that right-to-carry laws increase or decrease violent crime; almost no empirical evidence to support dozens of violence prevention programs for children; scant data on the effects of different gun safety technologies on violence and crime; and scant data on the link between firearms policy and suicidal behavior.15,16 We are extremely pleased that in FY 2020 Congress provided at total of $25 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health for gun violence prevention research. We must expand the collection of data and research related to gun violence and other violent crime deaths in order to better understand the causes and develop appropriate solutions. Congress should continue to provide unrestricted funding for research into the causes of gun violence. 
• Commonsense Gun Policies. APHA supports requiring criminal background checks for all firearms purchases, including those sold at gun shows and on the Internet. Currently unlicensed private firearms sellers are exempt from conducting criminal background checks on buyers at gun shows or over the Internet, giving felons, the mentally ill and others prohibited from owning firearms access to weapons. APHA also support reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, which expired in 2004. In Feb. 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would expand background checks for all firearm purchases with limited exceptions. We strongly urge the Senate to pass this important legislation without further delay
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders. ERPOs allow family members or law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily remove a firearm from a person deemed at risk of harming themselves or others. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have laws authorizing courts to issue an ERPO. The Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019 (H.R. 1236/S. 506), which has bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives, would provide grants to states and other jurisdictions that have enacted ERPO laws, using a thoughtful approach that does not stigmatize individuals with mental illness. We call on Congress to enact ERPO legislation without delay. 

8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning

In the United States, there is currently no authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Operation Warp Speedexternal icon has been working since the pandemic started to make a COVID-19 vaccine(s) available as soon as possible. CDC is focused on vaccine planning, working closely with health departments and partners to get ready for when a vaccine is available. CDC does not have a role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.

With the possibility of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of the year, here are 8 things you need to know about where those plans currently stand.

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.

The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Many vaccines are being developed and tested, but some might be ready before others—CDC is planning for many possibilities.

CDC is working with partners at all levels of government to plan for different vaccines and scenarios. CDC is in contact with your state public health department to begin planning. State, tribal, local, and territorial health departments are critical to making sure vaccines are available to communities.

At least at first, COVID-19 vaccines might be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Learn more about FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization authorityexternal icon and watch a video on what an EUA is.

There may be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of 2020, but supply will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow.

The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. The plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers available so no one will have to travel far to be vaccinated, whether it’s at your doctor’s office, retail pharmacy, hospital, or federally qualified health center.

Learn about how the federal government began investing in select vaccine manufacturersexternal icon to help them increase their ability to quickly make and distribute a large amount of COVID-19 vaccine.

If there is limited supply, some groups may be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first.

Experts are working on how to distribute these limited vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) gave inputexternal icon to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which will make recommendations to the CDC director once a vaccine(s) is authorized or approved for use.

At first, COVID-19 vaccines may not be recommended for children.

In early clinical trialsexternal icon for various COVID-19 vaccines, only non-pregnant adults participated. However, clinical trials continue to expand those recruited to participate. The groups recommended to receive the vaccines could change in the future.

Cost will not be an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

The federal government is committed to providing free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Most public and private insurance companies will cover that fee so there is no cost for the person getting vaccinated. In addition, people without health insurance can get COVID-19 vaccines at no cost.

COVID-19 vaccine planning is being updated as new information becomes available.

CDC will continue to update this website as plans develop.

Habitat for Humanity Orange County

Beginning November 2, Habitat will begin accepting applications for new homes in Carrboro and Hillsborough.  The Carrboro homes will be duplexes in the Northside neighborhood, close to Downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

The Hillsborough homes will be single-family homes in the Odie Street and Fairview neighborhoods.

If you know anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to join our Home Buyer Interest List or to send an email at applications@orangehabitat.org.  

Free Smoking Cessation class

The FreshStart Class is 1 hour class for 4 consecutive weeks held on Tuesday evenings from 6pm – 7pm.  Participants receive the cessation education, class materials, group support and all Nicotine Replacement Therapy products for FREE . 

Registration deadline for this class is Monday, November 2, 2020 but there is some flexibility to this deadline depending on space. 

This is a virtual class held via GO TO MEETING; therefore, participants will need to have access to a computer. 

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 266,136 COVID-19 cases, 4,245 deaths, and 1,193 hospitalizations, as of October 28, 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 3,088 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 58 deaths.

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
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC