Local News - WIZS

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Recent Deaths Reported at Universal Health Care

August 11, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 10, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,262 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,262, 704 are community-spread cases located across Granville County, 541 of those 704 have been released from isolation and eight are hospitalized.

Of those 1,262, 507 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, 366 of those 507 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,240, 51 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 29 at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.

Of the 51 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, eight have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 28 deaths in Granville County, four in the community, one of whom was associated with Central Regional Hospital, two of whom were associated with Universal Health Care, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Unfortunately, two deaths associated with Universal Health Care have been reported. A 66-year-old female passed away on August 7, and an 86 year-old female passed away on August 8.

Vance County

747 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 747, 623 are community-spread cases located across Vance County, 472 of those 623 have been released from isolation.

Of those 747, 124 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC). The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 124 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 41 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 13 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 151 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 163 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). While the total number of deaths in Vance County remained steady at 40 for several weeks, a recent COVID-related death associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home brings the count to 41.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

Dedication of Granville County Law Enforcement Center Postponed

August 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the Granville County Law Enforcement Center, originally scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2020, has been postponed, due to the expanded Phase Two restrictions set in North Carolina this week.

The decision to postpone was made on Friday, August 7, after considering the continued health guidelines that were required to be observed.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” said Board of Commissioners Chair and former Sheriff David T. Smith, “but we want to ensure the health and safety of everyone who had expressed interest in attending.”

A rescheduled date will soon be announced.

Oxford Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting Aug. 11

August 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy City of Oxford

The Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at 7 p.m. online via Zoom.

To Join the Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88542751199?pwd=NW5zUDdSUGI4cUh4Y0c3YUtmaDZWUT09

Meeting ID: 885 4275 1199
Passcode: 758515
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099

Agenda Items Include:

City of Oxford Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan Draft & Hix Complex Master Plan Draft presentation from McAdams.

2020-2021 Resurfacing Engineering Services with WithersRavenel.

Approve the Water and Wastewater Asset Inventory (AIA) Reports.

Wastewater Plant (WWTP) Rehabilitation Project.

Adopt a Special Revenue Fund Ordinance and approve the Subrecipient Agreement.

Please click here to view the Oxford Board of Commissioners’ meeting agendas and minutes.

NC’s Safer At Home Phase 2 Extended Through Sept. 11

August 6, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another five weeks as students and staff return to schools, colleges and universities, and the state doubles down on efforts to decrease COVID-19 numbers.

“Other states that lifted restrictions quickly have had to go backward as their hospital capacity ran dangerously low and their cases jumped higher. We will not make that mistake in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “In keeping with our dimmer switch approach with schools opening, and in order to push for decreasing numbers which will keep people healthier and boost our economy, North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for five weeks.”

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that while some of North Carolina’s numbers have mostly leveled, any progress is fragile as other states have shown with sudden and devastating surges in viral spread.

“While overall we are seeing signs of stability, we still have much work to do. Our recent trends show us what is possible when we commit to slowing the spread by wearing face coverings and following those simple but powerful 3Ws,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is declining, though remains elevated.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases has stabilized but remains high.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is stable but still elevated.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is beginning to level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

While testing turnaround times have improved, the number of tests done has decreased over the past week. Testing is a priority for anyone who has symptoms or those who may have been exposed to COVID-19, including:

Anyone who has attended a mass gathering including a protest.
Anyone who works in a setting at higher risk of exposure such as a grocery store, restaurant, gas station, or childcare program.
People who live or work in high-risk settings such as long-term facilities, homeless shelters, correctional facilities or food processing facility.

Tracing Capability

We continue hiring contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments. There are over 1,500 full-time and part-time staff supporting contact tracing efforts, including the 615 Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) contact tracers.

Personal Protective Equipment

Our personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

View the slides and graphs from today’s presentation.

Read the Executive Order.

Work Continues on Granville Chamber’s 2020-21 ‘Granville Today’ Publication

August 5, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s “GRANVILLE TODAY” has been published over the past 12 years as a project of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. It includes feature articles written about all areas of the county.

“GRANVILLE TODAY” is a quality of life publication, which includes the Chamber’s membership directory alphabetically and categorically.

It is a resource for all citizens and visitors and is included in relocation packets, recruitment information, displayed in businesses, industries and professional offices and is available at community events, public forums and trade shows. It is also available at the Chamber’s two office locations.

A Chamber Committee met months ago, prior to COVID-19, to discuss and submit feature articles to be included in our 2020 – 2021 “GRANVILLE TODAY” edition. Advertising sales are just beginning. Representatives with The Daily Dispatch will appropriately identify themselves as the partner with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce when approaching Chamber members for advertising interest or story contributions.

“GRANVILLE TODAY” is the only publication endorsed by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. Please feel free to contact either of the Chamber’s offices with questions.

Granville County Emergency Services Reports Minimum Storm Damage

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Emergency Services reports minimum impact due to Isaias, which made landfall on the North Carolina coast at around 11 p.m. on August 3. According to Emergency Management Coordinator Robin Edwards, reports of a few downed trees and spotty power outages had been made in our area, with no reports of flooded roadways or other damage.

Granville County Emergency Services had been prepared to implement the county’s Emergency Operations Plan, had the storm been more severe. As a precautionary measure, Granville County Commissioners had approved the issuance of a Declaration of Emergency in anticipation of possible severe weather resulting from this storm.

Hurricane season extends through November 30. All Granville County residents are urged to continue making emergency preparedness plans as the season continues, so they can be ready when the time comes.

To receive county-wide emergency notifications, residents are also encouraged to enroll in the Code Red alert system for future weather emergencies. To sign up for Granville County’s Code Red notifications, please visit www.granvillecounty.org and click on the Emergency Management link on the Community tab.

For more information, please call the Granville County Emergency Services office at (919) 603-1310.

State Sees Year’s First Cases of Often Fatal EEE Disease in Horses

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Four horses have recently tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) in North Carolina. The horses were located in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus and Durham counties. These are the first cases of EEE reported this year.

“In 2019, there were only two reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The fact that we have doubled the 2019 number already, points to a need to be extra vigilant and vaccinate your equine. Mosquito season in North Carolina has several more months to go.”

EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.

“If your horses exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately,” said State Veterinarian Doug Meckes. “It is imperative that horse owners keep their vaccines current, talk to their veterinarian about vaccinating equine as soon as possible against EEE and West Nile virus.”

The vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Meckes recommends a booster shot every six months in North Carolina because of the state’s prolonged mosquito season.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle of water that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers’ instructions.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

While there is no vaccine to protect people from EEE, people can protect themselves with repellents and by judicious suppression of mosquito populations, especially in areas near freshwater hardwood swamps.

Granville Youth Attend NC 4-H Congress; Dickerson Inducted Into Honor Club

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

A delegation of Granville County 4-H members attended North Carolina 4-H Congress, which was held virtually this year. This year’s 4-H Congress, held July 20 through July 23, attracted more than 300 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the state.

Conference delegates participated in general sessions, learned together in workshops, recognized award winners and elected State 4-H Officers for the upcoming year.

Samuel Dickerson, age 16, represented Granville County and was inducted into the 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve. New Honor Club members were tapped during a candlelight ceremony held Monday night, July 20.

Samuel Dickerson (pictured above) represented Granville County at the 2020 NC 4-H Congress and was inducted into the 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Membership in the Honor Club is based on service to the 4-H program, leadership, moral standards, 4-H activities and project achievement. Less than one-half of one percent of North Carolina 4-H’ers are selected for membership each year. Members must be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of three years of 4-H experience.

Dickerson is a senior at Cornerstone of Freedom Academy and a member of S.H.O.W 4-H Club. The son of Paul and Terese Dickerson of Oxford, he has been active in the 4-H program for 9 years.

4-H is North Carolina’s largest youth development organization, equipping more than 262,200 young people each year with the skills to succeed and improve the world around them. 4-H programs and camps encourage young people to “learn by doing,” helping them to develop into active, contributing citizens. NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University coordinate 4-H programs statewide.

To learn more about opportunities available through Granville County 4-H, please contact Agent Lina Lue Howe at (919) 603-1350 or at lina_howe@ncsu.edu.

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Case Reported at Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC)

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 3, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,192 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,192, 653 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 653, 495 have been released from isolation, and 11 are hospitalized.

Of those 1,192 cases, 507 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 366 of those 507 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,192, 32 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 10 at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.

Of the 32 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, eight have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County, three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

709 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 709, 585 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 585, 440 have been released from isolation.

Of those 709, 124 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC) in Henderson, NC. The outbreak at ARC is newly reported. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 124 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized

There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 13 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 145 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 158 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

VGCC to Offer New Customer Service Excellence Program

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a new, mostly-online program designed to equip area residents with the customer service skills that are critical to the success of all businesses and organizations. The “Customer Service Excellence” program is set to be offered four times this fall.

In each case, students will only attend the first class in person at one of VGCC’s campuses. The rest of the program (totaling 24 hours) will be completed online from the comfort and safety of students’ homes or offices.

The class that begins at the college’s Main Campus (near Henderson) will be held August 24 – September 13; at the Franklin County Campus (Louisburg), September 14 – October 4; at South Campus (Creedmoor/Butner), October 5-25; and at the Warren County Campus (Warrenton), October 26 – November 15. Students are reminded that masks or face coverings are now required for everyone while indoors on campus.

The first few classes within the program will introduce the basic concepts of customer service, including how to handle difficult customer interactions; enhance participants’ communication skills; and examine customer relationship management (CRM), which can lead to growing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Next, students will learn critical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, as well as basic computer skills for the workplace. Then, participants will gain skills that can help them secure employment, including career/resume development, and job interview techniques. A section on financial literacy will help students learn strategies for managing money, budgeting and saving.

Finally, students will prepare for the National Career Readiness Certification exam.

“This program is designed to equip employees with the skills needed to provide outstanding customer service by building and maintaining mutually-beneficial relationships,” said VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions Tanya Weary. “These classes teach participants how to achieve customer service excellence while building a robust, skilled workforce for our local employers in any number of sectors.”

The instructor for the program is Alex Madrigal.

The program costs $70 but will be free of charge to participants who qualify through a Human Resources Development (HRD) waiver.

For more information, contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at (252) 738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

To register, visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/hrd/.