March, 2020 - WIZS

Warren County Operations Updates 3/23/2020

March 23, 2020/by John C. Rose

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Warren County Updates Announced to County Operations; Announcement of NC Executive Order No. 120

— from the Warren County Manager’s Office

As of March 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm, all Warren County, Warren County Schools, Town of Norlina, and Town of Macon playgrounds, basketball courts, and pickleball courts are closed to the public. Team sports are also prohibited at these facilities as well.

Effective March 23rd, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office will be closed to the public until further notice. Please call 252-257-3364 with business-related questions and concerns. Anyone needing to enter the Sheriff’s Office will be screened. If information is being requested after 5:00 pm, weekends, or holidays the contact number is 252-257-3456. No finger printing will be done until further notice. There will be no more than two occupants in the waiting area at one time.

Additionally, Governor Roy Cooper has issued an Executive Order closing an additional set of businesses beginning 5 pm on March 25th. This Executive Order will impact many local businesses in Warren County, including (but not limited to): gyms, barber shops, hair and beauty salons, gaming establishments (sweepstakes lounges), bingo halls, tattoo parlors, and massage therapy.

The Executive Order also limits mass gatherings to 50 attendees or less. This order also extends school closure to May 15th and extends additional restrictions for long-term care facilities. Executive Orders can be found at https://governor.nc.gov/news/executive-orders.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-257-3115 Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm or visit www.warrencountync.com.

H-V Chamber, Economic Development & Partners Support Local Small Businesses

March 23, 2020/by Kelly Bondurant

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission Director Dennis Jarvis appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Burgess reported that the Chamber of Commerce and Vance County Economic Development offices are working together in partnership with Vance-Granville Community College, the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG), the Henderson Downtown Development Commission, and other entities to ensure local businesses, especially small business leaders, have updated information on remaining afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

With the U.S. Small Business Administration granting Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration, NC small businesses that are suffering economic losses due to coronavirus will have the opportunity to apply for low-interest economic injury disaster loans (EIDLs).

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

While encouraged by the assistance provided by the SBA, Jarvis stated that there are also local organizations, such as the Kerr Tar COG, offering business owners a range of low-interest loans to suit their needs.

“It’s not any different than going to a traditional lender – the terms are the same, your amortization schedule is the same,” said Jarvis. “What they are able to do is to wave some requirements that are on traditional funding programs.”

The COG serves the five-county area of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person and can be reached by phone at (252) 436-2040 or online at www.kerrtargcog.org.

For workers who have been laid off or temporarily furloughed due to the coronavirus shutdown, Governor Cooper’s office announced a relaxing of sorts on unemployment qualifications, including the removal of a one-week waiting period after termination and not holding employers responsible for benefits paid.

Burgess listed NC Works Career Center as a local Vance County agency that will assist with issues affecting your workforce such as lay-offs, hiring, etc. Visit them online at www.ncworks.gov or call (252) 438-6129 for assistance.

You may also visit the NC Department of Commerce’s Employment Security website for more detailed information (click here) and to apply for unemployment (click here).

Information regarding the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on local businesses and the economy may be obtained by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.hendersonvance.org and the Economic Development website at www.vancecountyedc.com.

According to Burgess, the website for the H-V Chamber of Commerce is being updated daily. Clicking on the link at the top of the home page marked “COVID-19” will give viewers access to information including low-interest loans, phone numbers to call for questions about unemployment, employee layoffs, the latest news from the Granville Vance Public Health Department, etc.

VCS Updates: School Buildings to Remain Closed Through May 15

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools continues the journey through COVID-19 and how it is impacting not only our education system but our families as well. We learned today that the Governor is mandating that school buildings remain closed for students through May 15, 2020.

Remote Learning

The Vance County Schools Remote Learning platform and many resources are available on our district website for students Pre-K through 12th grade. Students have a variety of ways to receive instruction: learning packets, online or a blended model of the two. We are working with each individual student’s situation to ensure we are meeting their needs academically.

An opportunity to pick up new packets, as well as drop off completed ones will be provided after Spring Break. Each school will send out instructions on this process. If you have any questions about your child’s remote learning, please contact the school for further guidance.

Meal Distribution

Meal pick up continues this week, Monday through Thursday (March 23 – 26) from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. Pick up sites include Aycock Elementary, EM Rollins Elementary, Zeb Vance Elementary, New Hope Elementary, Vance County Middle and Vance County High.

Spring Break

As a reminder, Spring Break will be from March 30 – April 3. During that time, we have coordinated with several churches and organizations for meal distribution to take place on March 31. Please check our website for updates on pick-up locations.

Events/Facility Rentals/Athletics

Due to the Governor extending the executive order for the closure of school buildings, all school and district-wide events scheduled now through May 15, 2020, are canceled. Arts Alive, previously scheduled for April 25, 2020, is postponed, with the hope to reschedule.

Additionally, all facility rentals are canceled during that time and athletics will remain suspended until at least May 18, 2020.

Office Hours

Vance County Schools is continuing to work to ensure we are available for our families as we face the impacts of COVID-19. To curb the spread of the coronavirus, we are moving towards conducting business with minimal personal contact. Every school office and district office will continue to be available by phone from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience but safety continues to be a priority for our district.

We will continue to keep our families up-to-date with the latest information. We realize that things are not easy at the moment for many in our community, but we are committed to doing all that we can for each and every child. As a reminder, should you have any questions or concerns about remote learning, meals, the calendar or other issues, please reach out to your child’s school.

City of Oxford Declares State of Emergency Effective March 23

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy The City of Oxford

PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA

WHEREAS, COVID–19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death by the SARS CoV–2 virus, which is a new strain of coronavirus previously unidentified in humans and which can spread from person to person; and,

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID–19 is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”) has warned of the high public health threat posed by COVID–19 globally and in the United States and has deemed it necessary to prohibit or restrict travel to areas designated by the CDC, and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary declared a public health emergency in the United States for COVID–19 under Section 391 of the Public Health Service Act; and

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed multiple cases of COVID–19 in the State of North Carolina, including one or more cases in Granville County; and

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency for the State of North Carolina based on the public health emergency posed by COVID–19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Chairman of the Granville County Board of Commissioners issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency for Granville County; and,

WHEREAS, immediate attention is required to protect public health from the spread of the disease, reduce further damage, ensure public safety, and render emergency relief, and

WHEREAS, I, Jacqueline vdH Sergent, Mayor of the City of Oxford, North Carolina, do find that the potential spread of COVID–19 within the City of Oxford constitutes an imminent threat to the safety and welfare of the City of Oxford that existing conditions have caused or may cause widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life, and public safety authorities may be unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives or property, and

WHEREAS, declaring a State of Emergency and imposing the restrictions and prohibitions ordered herein is necessary to maintain order and protect public health, safety, and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Mayor of the City of Oxford under Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes and Chapter 7 of the City of Oxford Code of Ordinances, after conferring with my colleagues on the Oxford Board of Commissioners, I, Jacqueline vdH Sergent, Mayor of the City of Oxford, North Carolina, hereby declare and proclaim that a State of Emergency exists within the City of Oxford.

SECTION 1. Emergency Area Established. The emergency area covered by this Emergency Proclamation shall be the entire jurisdiction of the City of Oxford.

SECTION 2. Adoption of Granville County Declaration. I, Jacqueline vdH Sergent, Mayor of the City of Oxford, North Carolina, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. $ 166A–19.22, do affirm that the Declaration of a State of Emergency issued by Granville County applies in its entirety to the City of Oxford.

SECTION 3. Implementation and Enforcement. I hereby order all City of Oxford law enforcement officers and employees and all other emergency management personnel subject to our control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the City of Oxford Emergency Operations Plan. I urge all City of Oxford residents and businesses to follow the advice and recommendations of the CDC, and the advice and recommendations of the federal, state, and county governments regarding our public health and controlling the spread of this virus.

SECTION 4. Distribution. I hereby order this declaration: (a) to be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (b) to be filed with the City of Oxford Clerk, and (c) to be distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this declaration.

SECTION 5. Effective Date and Time. This Declaration of Emergency shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

DECLARED this the 23rd day of March 2020, at 4:30 p.m.

Spring Street Missionary Baptist to Offer Community Free Food, Clothing

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Pinky Davis-Boyd, Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church

On Friday, March 27, 2020, from the hours of 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church will provide free food and clothing to the community in the church parking lot.

The church is located at 511 Orange Street in Henderson.

Granville Co. Government Continues to Make Operational Changes – Updated March 24

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Government continues to work closely with Granville-Vance Public Health and to take precautionary measures, following guidance from the local health department and from the CDC. With everyone’s safety in mind, these operational changes have been implemented in response to COVID-19:

Granville County Senior Services: All three Senior Centers (Oxford, Creedmoor and Stovall) are closed to participants until further notice. Group activities, classes, group meetings and special events have been canceled.

Because the tax deadline has been changed to July 15, the tax assistance program has been temporarily suspended and will restart on Thursday, May 14 from 5 until 8 p.m., ending on July 9. Appointments currently on the books will be rescheduled and new appointments will be taken.

Home delivered meals continue and congregate meals (on-site) are available as a drive-through option. Those not able to use the drive-through option should call the Senior Center at 919-693-1930 to ask about being placed on a home-delivered route. KARTS has also made the decision to temporarily discontinue the around-town shuttle until further notice.

Department of Social Services: To better serve residents who need assistance, the Department of Social Services is also accepting applications for Food and Nutrition assistance, Medicaid, Work First Family Assistance or any other economic service program through DSS online, by phone or by mail. To apply by phone, please call 919-693-1511. To apply online, please visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/. To apply by mail, send application to P.O. Box 966, Oxford NC, 27565.

Granville County Library System: All four branches of the Granville County Library have been closed to the public as of March 21, but curbside service is available Monday through Friday at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford and at the South Branch in Creedmoor. Library patrons can call or email either library to request materials for pickup between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., then give the library a call upon arrival. (Limit five books, five DVDs and five audiobooks.)

In addition, all scheduled events and programs have been canceled and meeting rooms will not be available for public use until the state of emergency is lifted. All services to nursing homes and assisted living centers have also been postponed until further notice. Deadlines for all materials currently checked out will be automatically extended. The Thornton Library can be reached at 919-693-1121 and the phone number for the South Branch is 919-528-1752.

Granville County Animal Management: For a limited time, fees will be waived for pet adoptions and rescue pulls. For safety precautions, visitors to the shelter can only come into the facilities for purposes of adoption or rescue, or if looking for lost animals. In addition, rabies vaccinations for owned animals are being suspended until further notice. For questions, please call 919-693-6749.

Granville County Courthouse: As of March 23, the Granville County Clerk’s Office will be interacting with the public through their cashiering window. Residents are encouraged to call 919-699-4800 before coming to the courthouse, as there are a number of matters that can be handled over the phone or through the N.C. Courts’ website at www.nccourts.gov.

By order of the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, many court matters are being continued and rescheduled until after April 13, 2020. Exceptions are proceedings necessary to preserve statutory and constitutional rights in criminal cases, such as first appearances; and proceedings necessary to obtaining emergency relief, such as protective and restraining orders. Matters that fall into these exceptions will proceed as necessary and required by law before the Court.

Cases that will be continued and rescheduled until after April 13, 2020, include 1. Magistrate’s and Small Claims Court; 2. Regular Civil and Criminal District Court; 3. Civil and Criminal Superior Court; and 4. Most Estate and Special Proceedings Hearings before the Clerk. The Clerk’s Office will mail notice of a new hearing date for all matters that are continued and are rescheduled.

Granville County Sheriff’s Office: As of March 23 and until further notice, only one person will be admitted inside the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. Visitation in the Granville County Jail is also restricted until further notice. Fingerprint services have been suspended until April 13.

Effective immediately, crime reports of a non–violent nature will be taken over the phone or by email, if at all possible. These reports include, but are not limited to misdemeanor theft, harassing communications, lost property, identity theft, computer/phone/mail scams. The phone number for the Sheriff’s Office is 919-693-3213 and the email address is granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org. For more serious concerns, all residents are asked to call 9-1-1.

Granville County 9-1-1: Residents should be aware that telecommunicators are screening all calls for COVID-19 symptoms. Any “yes” answers to the questions asked will be relayed to emergency responders so that they will be prepared and aware.

Inspections and Planning: As of Monday, March 23, the Planning and Inspections Department will be closed to the public. Residents can reach staff members by phone or by email. Appointments that are necessary will be made. In addition, a drop box will be located in the hallway for plan and application submittals. Field inspections will continue but may be limited. Online payment access is also available. Call 919-603-1326 to have an online payment link sent to your email address.

Granville County Office of N.C. Forest Service: The Granville office location is temporarily closed to the public until further notice. Burning permits will be made available online at ncforestservice.gov. Residents should be aware that staffing adjustments may increase response times for inquiries and assistance. To reach a staff member, call 919-482-2301. For emergencies, please dial 9-1-1.

Parks and Recreation: Although tournament play has been canceled, Granville Athletic Park remains open for public use. Residents are asked to follow health recommendations for gatherings, including social distancing. Avoid being closer than six feet from anyone, whenever possible, and limit physical contact. Remember that gatherings should be limited to 50 people or less. Reservations for picnic shelters and other amenities can still be made by calling the GAP at 919-693-3716.

Soil and Water Conservation: The Soil and Water Conservation office is closed to the public until further notice; however, the Natural Resource Conservationist continues to work in the office and in the field and can be reached at 919-693-4603 or at byron.currin@granvillecounty.org.

Meeting cancellations: Several committee meetings and meetings of independent boards have been canceled or postponed. For a listing of canceled/postponed meetings and events scheduled through Granville County Government, please visit www.granvillecounty.org for notices.

Governor Orders Increased Access to Childcare, DMV Clarifications

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. The Order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources.

Additionally, it provides for ways for Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices to enact social distancing protections and waives some registration requirements to ensure resources can be delivered by truck throughout the state.

“Doctors, nurses, first responders and other critical personnel need to know their children are safe so they can continue to respond during this time of crisis,” said Governor Cooper. “And we’re loosening trucking requirements so important medicine and equipment can get quickly to the people in all 100 counties that need it.”

The Order provides for the following provisions:

Improve access to safe, flexible child care for first responders, emergency personnel, food preparers and others;
Transfer authority to local health departments to be more flexible with mandates during the crisis, so they can prioritize the most needed services;
Lifts some restrictions so that volunteers and other caregivers may care for children and elders during the crisis.

The transportation waiver includes provisions to:

Allow DMV offices to ensure appropriate social distancing including requiring appointments and making sure offices have enough space for DMV customers;
Postpone DMV hearings that can reasonably be delayed during the crisis response;
Offers clarity around regulations so that critical supplies can get where they are needed throughout the state;
Waive Commercial Driver’s License requirements to ensure school buses can be utilized in responding to the crisis.

The North Carolina Council of State concurred with the order Friday. The full order is available here.

For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which includes daily updates on positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Warren Co. Partners with Loaves & Fishes Ministries to Offer Food Pickup

March 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Citizens of Warren County and around the world have found themselves in an unprecedented position with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of you have inquired about ways to help your neighbors right here in your home community of Warren County.

Warren County government is partnering with Warrenton-based non-profit, Loaves & Fishes Ministries, to help facilitate neighbors helping neighbors and ensuring all of our residents have access to food options during this difficult time.

Food and monetary donations can be dropped off at Loaves & Fishes, located at 538 W. Ridgeway Street in Warrenton, NC (behind the Health Department), on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. All donations will be accepted.

If you, your organization, or business is interested in providing volunteer services for the Loaves & Fishes Ministries food bank, please call Warren County Emergency Services at 252-257-1191. All volunteers for Loaves & Fishes will be coordinated through Emergency Services. At this time, no more than 12 volunteers are needed per day.

Loaves & Fishes is currently available to all members of the public for food pick-up on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For more information, call Loaves & Fishes at 252-257-1160 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. You can also call the site manager, Rosa Jones, at 252-431-4445. Loaves & Fishes Ministries is on Facebook @lfmwarrenton.

Situation Report – As Expected, Vance Has A Case

March 22, 2020/by John C. Rose

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Henderson-Vance Emergency Management Director Brian Short has released the latest situation report, and included in it is information about Vance County’s first positive Coronavirus case.

In an adjoining press release from Granville-Vance District Health Department Director Lisa Harrison, she wrote, “There is one confirmed case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) that we know of in Vance County. The affected person is currently in isolation at home and has cooperated with the restrictions since being tested. Local public health officials will notify individuals if they may have been at risk of being in contact.”

Short wrote in his latest local situation report, “Today, we had our first instance of an individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus in Vance County. The individual is being isolated at home and our local health department is conducting contact tracing to determine the level of exposure to others. This was anticipated and presently does not constitute any changes to our current response posture or our recommendations to the general public.”

The case count is above 250 in North Carolina, but the death count is zero. You can track information online. Short wrote, “Please visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus statistics page at the following link to stay current on the number of cases in our state: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc.”

Harrison wrote, “Both Granville and Vance County’s first cases are considered community spread – neither one has traveled out of North Carolina recently that we know of at this time.”

The local health department and health care professionals continue to work tirelessly to identify cases through testing, tracking the cases and notifying the public while maintaining the privacy of the individual patients.

Being smart, practicing good hygiene and limiting unnecessary trips is the guidance right now regardless of the number of positive cases in the local community.

“Personal protective equipment (PPE) continues to be very scarce as global competition for the same supplies is occurring. Responders and health care providers are being encouraged to reuse PPE, in particular masks as often as possible to ensure that we hold on to our supplies for as long as possible. Once they run out, they could be out for an extended period of time,” Short wrote.

Henderson and Vance County remain under a local State of Emergency, a necessary precaution which allows implementation of certain emergency protective measures if and when they should become necessary.

Based on press releases from the respective agencies, both the Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office are responding to nonemergency calls via telephone. Both arms of the local law enforcement community are still responding as they always have to emergency calls.

Short concluded his local situation report as follows:

“We continue to encourage our citizens as they shop for groceries and other related items to please shop smart. Our local convenience stores and grocery stores and working hard to restock their shelves and for the most part, items are available for them to do so, however we have to allow them to do that. That means using good shopping practices and buying only what you need for yourself and your family.

“We are strongly encouraging our citizens to continue to observe the social distancing parameters being order by the Governor and suggested by our local and state public health agencies. If you need to go to work, the grocery store, pharmacy or other necessary trip, please do so but we are encouraging everyone to stay home as much as they possibly can. In particular those individuals that are already at risk due to age or other medical conditions.

“Many of our local restaurants have been very creative about continuing to provide their services to our citizens whether it be keeping their drive through services open, offering online ordering or curbside services and this is greatly appreciated.”

Harrison wrote, “Please rely on accurate sources of information from the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and State Division of Public Health (https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina) as well as your own local public health officials. Granville Vance Public Health will provide the most up-to-date and accurate information for COVID-19 in our district online at https://gvph.org/.”

GVPH included the following additional information in the press release from Harrison:

“Although we have enough sample test kits to work with those who are showing symptoms of illness, we do not have the supplies to test everyone at this point. Dr. Guthrie, Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director, offers a reminder there are things we can all do to stay protected from COVID-19:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a generous amount of hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, on all surfaces of the hands and wrists.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

Disinfect surfaces – especially ones that are frequently touched – using household cleaning spray or wipes.

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

Listen to the advice about social distancing and reducing the spread of this virus – we all have a part to play and staying home is a simple way to reduce spread.

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Understand things are changing quickly and everyone is still learning.

“What to do and when to seek medical evaluation and advice:

If you or a family member has fever AND lower respiratory symptoms (cough or difficulty breathing), call your healthcare provider first. The person who tested positive in Vance did all the right things – called first, was able to prepare the provider for testing and everyone addressing the patient was able to remain at low-risk for exposure in the situation. That is the ideal way to ask for a test – to talk through it first – and that is what we ask of everyone.

Emergency rooms need to be able to serve the most critically ill so do not use the Emergency Room unless you are very sick. Emergency warning signs include, but are not limited to: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; Persistent pain or pressure in the chest; New confusion or inability to arouse; Bluish lips or face

Only call 9-1-1 if you are having an emergency.

You may call the statewide Coronavirus Helpline if you have questions at 1-866-462-3821, which is answered 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.”

U.S. ATTORNEY URGES PUBLIC TO REPORT SUSPECTED COVID-19 FRAUD

March 21, 2020/by John C. Rose

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— press release

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by sending an e-mail to disaster@leo.gov.

In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes.

“As our health care professionals and first responders work tirelessly to defeat COVID-19, we can be certain that criminals will attempt to profit from the fears of the public and will take advantage of this dangerous pandemic for their personal gain. The Department of Justice is committed to detecting, investigating, and aggressively prosecuting those who commit this wrongdoing. As we fight to address COVID-19 related fraud that is unfortunately emerging across the country – we want to raise awareness and forewarn those who might otherwise fall victim to these scams,” said United States Attorney Higdon.

Some examples of these schemes include:

Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.

In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. The Eastern District of North Carolina’s Fraud Coordinator is Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes.

The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities.

To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.