NCDHHS

NCDHHS Releases New Guidance for Thanksgiving Celebrations, Black Friday Shopping

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released new guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday shopping to help North Carolinians gauge the risks, protect their friends and loved ones, and slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The best way to protect loved ones during Thanksgiving is to limit travel and gatherings with anyone who does not live in your household,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “If you do plan to get together, there are important steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to your family and friends.”

Because North Carolina is experiencing high numbers of COVID-19 cases across the state, NCDHHS urges caution when gathering for Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations, especially for gatherings that include people who are at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19, such as anyone over the age of 65.

If people do plan on traveling or gathering, they should consider having a screening COVID-19 test three to four days ahead of time. A screening test can help someone know if they have COVID-19 even if they do not yet have symptoms. However, a screening test can miss some infections. Furthermore, a negative test only gives you information for that point in time.

Screening tests are available at state-funded community testing events. Call ahead to other testing sites to see if they offer screening tests at their locations. Community testing events and other testing sites are listed online at ncdhhs.gov/testingplace.

“Consider getting a screening test ahead of your Thanksgiving travel or gathering. If you test positive, stay home and isolate. If you test negative, it’s not a free pass. Wear a mask and practice all 3Ws, including keeping 6 feet of distance from others and washing hands often,” Secretary Cohen said.

People who have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around a person with COVID-19, should not host or participate in any in-person gatherings until they complete their isolation or quarantine period.

For a full list of guidance about traveling and gathering during the holidays, along with a chart outlining low, medium and high-risk activities, see the NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Thanksgiving Holiday.

During Black Friday shopping, it is strongly recommended individuals do not participate in any traditional Black Friday shopping where customers gather in large groups waiting for the store to open or are in crowded stores for extended times.

Any large gathering of people poses an increased risk of spreading COVID-19. People at high risk for COVID-19 complications should limit in-person shopping. And people who have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, have COVID-19 like symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19, should not shop in person until their isolation or quarantine period is over.

Individuals who do shop in person should follow the 3Ws and remember stores are limited to 50 percent capacity. For further Black Friday guidance, including step-by-step tips for how to reduce risk while shopping, see the NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Black Friday Shopping.

Phoenix Academy

Phoenix Academy Receives Bombas ‘Giving Partner’ Grant

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-Press Release and photos, Granville County Public Schools

Phoenix Academy of Granville County Public Schools recently became one of the newest members to be welcomed to the “Bombas’ Beehive.”

In what has been an unprecedented year, Phoenix received a grant from Bombas ‘Giving Partner.” For every pair of socks that Bombas sells, they donate a pair to the homeless, at-risk or in-need communities.

Many boxes of new socks were donated to Phoenix and, in lockstep with Bombas’ philosophy, these boxes were shared with other schools within the Granville County Public Schools’ community including Butner-Stem Elementary, C.G Credle, and Tar River Elementary. These socks were then distributed to those in need in the local community.

The visual arts teacher, Ms. Cindrich, and her passion for at-risk populations was the driving force for writing and receiving the grant donation from Bombas Giving Partner.

Granville County Logo

Register of Deeds Provides Veterans with Free Discount Cards

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Register of Deeds continues to provide veterans with a FREE service through the “Thank A Vet” program. Initiated last year, the program provides a photo ID card that can be used for discounts at participating businesses and organizations in Granville County. This service is available to all veterans who register, or have already registered, their DD-214 form.

To register, veterans should bring a valid, state-issued driver’s license or identification card, such as their military ID, and an original DD-14 form.

If the DD-14 form has already been registered with the Granville County Register of Deeds office, record verification will be provided prior to issuing the “Thank A Vet” photo identification card.

Businesses and organizations offering discounts with this identification card include Air Works Heating and Air, Art and Antique Gallery of Oxford, Black’s Tire Service, Butner Car Care Service, Comfort Inn and Suites, Georges of Oxford, Granville Family Dentistry, Granville Little Theater, Mark Bostic (DDS), Mazatlan of Oxford, NAPA Auto Parts, Next Level Fitness of Butner, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Oxford Car and Truck, Oxford Veterinary Hospital, Peace Point Guest House and Retreat, Premier Eye Institute, Professional Pharmacy, S.T. Owen Electric, Select Heating and Air Conditioning, Southern States of Oxford and Creedmoor, The Hub on Main, This ‘n That, Tobacco Wood Brewing, Verizon Wireless and Whitco Termite and Pest Control.

In addition, there are discounts on rental services at Lake Rogers in Creedmoor, Granville Athletic Park and the Granville County Expo and Convention Center.

The Granville County Register of Deeds office is located at 101 Main Street in Oxford, inside the Courthouse building, and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Kathy Taylor, Granville County Register of Deeds, at kathyadcock@granvillecounty.org or at (919) 693-6314.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH Local COVID-19 Update as of 11/05/20

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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 November 5, 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

2,144 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 2,144, 1,460 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,460, 1,256 have been released from isolation.

Of those 2,144, 528 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 501 of those 528 have been released from isolation.

Of those 2,144, 156 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities, including 50 at Murdoch Development Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.

The outbreaks at Central Regional Hospital, Brantwood and Granville House are no longer active.

Of the 156 cases in long-term care facilities in Granville County, 113 have been released from isolation.

Four individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 51 deaths in Granville County: six in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

1,259 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,259, 1,123 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 1,123, 925 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,259, 136 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 12 at Senior Citizens Home.

The outbreaks at Kerr Lake Nursing Home, Alliance Rehabilitative Care and Pelican Health Nursing Home are no longer active.

Of the 136 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 97 have been released from isolation.

Five individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 47 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home and 19 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 198 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 204 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers).

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 GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

NC State Board of Elections

State Board Releases County-by-County Provisional Ballot Numbers

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

Under state law, elections officials must release the number of provisional ballots cast in each county by noon two days after the election. The State Board surveyed the 100 county boards of elections across North Carolina and provides the provisional ballot numbers by county below.

Provisional ballots cast on Election Day must still be researched to determine voter eligibility. Provisional ballots are cast when an individual’s name does not appear on the poll book or other questions arise about that person’s eligibility to vote or to vote a particular ballot.

After Election Day, each county board of elections meets before certifying the results to make decisions on provisional applications submitted by voters. If the board determines that the voter is eligible, the provisional ballot is counted. If the voter is eligible for some contests on the ballot but not others, the eligible contests will be counted for that voter. These ballots will be added to the results during the canvass process.

Ballots determined to be cast by eligible voters will be added to the results after county board absentee meetings scheduled through November 13. The State Board is compiling a schedule of county board meetings and will release it as soon as possible.

County # of Provisionals
Alamance 868
Alexander 175
Alleghany 33
Anson 100
Ashe 103
Avery 114
Beaufort 132
Bertie 87
Bladen 129
Brunswick 869
Buncombe 737
Burke 116
Cabarrus 1049
Caldwell 310
Camden 32
Carteret 460
Caswell 122
Catawba 442
Chatham 156
Cherokee 48
Chowan 52
Clay 52
Cleveland 552
Columbus 286
Craven 447
Cumberland 1842
Currituck 106
Dare 176
Davidson 928
Davie 165
Duplin 321
Durham 1277
Edgecombe 167
Forsyth 1500
Franklin 249
Gaston 987
Gates 53
Graham 58
Granville 220
Greene 73
Guilford 1228
Halifax 188
Harnett 803
Haywood 217
Henderson 200
Hertford 71
Hoke 323
Hyde 22
Iredell 341
Jackson 336
Johnston 892
Jones 58
Lee 150
Lenoir 264
Lincoln 353
Macon 83
Madison 108
Martin 100
McDowell 126
Mecklenburg 2483
Mitchell 104
Montgomery 156
Moore 389
Nash 544
New Hanover 1200
Northampton 32
Onslow 1074
Orange 247
Pamlico 69
Pasquotank 311
Pender 340
Perquimans 53
Person 121
Pitt 1091
Polk 49
Randolph 536
Richmond 248
Robeson 1472
Rockingham 516
Rowan 441
Rutherford 488
Sampson 202
Scotland 143
Stanly 319
Stokes 167
Surry 341
Swain 48
Transylvania 91
Tyrrell 12
Union 933
Vance 55
Wake 3437
Warren 72
Washington 40
Watauga 260
Wayne 573
Wilkes 234
Wilson 276
Yadkin 81
Yancey 62
Total 40766
Oxford Logo

Oxford Commissioners to Hold Regular Board Meeting Nov. 10

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

The Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. online via Zoom.

Due to a recent “Zoom Bombing,” the City of Oxford will now have pre-registrations for all meetings. The meetings will be kept public and are available to everyone who is interested in attending; however, registration will be required in order to receive the meeting ID and password.

Registration will remain open until 30 minutes before the meeting begins.

Click here for the Nov. 10 meeting’s registration link. For registration, you must enter your name and email address; the meeting ID and password will be sent to the email address you enter.

“Zoom meetings follow all regular meeting protocols and any disruptions will be cause for immediate dismissal. Please silence all electronic devices, except those needed for the meeting.”

If you have trouble accessing the meeting, please call (919) 603-1100.

Please click here for the full meeting agenda.

NC State Board of Elections

How to Know Your Vote Counted in North Carolina

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

North Carolina elections officials wish to remind Election Day voters that it may take a few weeks before their “voter history” is updated to reflect their recent vote in their voter record available through the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool.

“If you voted in person and inserted your ballot into a tabulator, your selections were immediately recorded on a memory card, and your votes were reported on election night as part of the unofficial results,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We respectfully ask that voters trust their bipartisan boards of elections across North Carolina. We are here to make sure your votes count, and they will.”

The State Board of Elections and county boards of elections are inundated with questions from voters about whether their ballot was counted in the 2020 general election. In almost every single case, the answer will be yes.

However, if you voted on Election Day, it will take time for your voter history to reflect the fact that you voted, as county boards of elections must first complete post-election processes.

Voters may confirm the status of their ballot in the following ways through the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/. Simply enter your first and last names and county (if desired) and follow the instructions below based on your voting method.

If you voted in person on Election Day…

When you inserted your ballot into a tabulator, your selections were recorded on a media card in the tabulator. These results were counted and reported publicly on election night.

For further confirmation that your ballot was counted, use the Voter Search tool.

Your ballot status will show up in the “Voter History” section (see screenshot below) as soon as your county completes the post-election process of assigning voter history to your record. This may take a couple of weeks or longer after the election.

Please be assured that your county board of elections will complete this process as promptly as possible amid the other post-election tasks that must be completed, including post-election audits and certification of the results.

If you voted in person during the one-stop early voting period from October 15-31…

You can find that your vote counted in the “Your Absentee Ballot” section (see screenshot below) of the Voter Search database.

Under North Carolina law, all early votes – by-mail or in-person – are considered absentee votes. If you voted during the early voting period, your “Absentee Status” will show “VALID RETURN,” the “Return Method” will be “IN PERSON” and your “Return Status” will be “ACCEPTED.”

Your ballot status also will show up in the “Voter History” section as soon as your county completes the post-election process of assigning voter history to your record. This may take a couple of weeks or longer.

If you voted absentee by-mail…

Once your ballot is received by your county board of elections, you can find that your vote counted in the “Your Absentee Ballot” section of the Voter Search database. “Absentee Status” will show “VALID RETURN,” the “Return Method” will be “MAIL” and your “Return Status” will be “ACCEPTED” or “ACCEPTED – CURED”.

Your ballot status will also show up in the “Voter History” section as soon as your county completes the post-election process of assigning voter history to your record. This may take a couple of weeks or longer.

If you cast a provisional ballot…

You will be able to check the status of your ballot 10 days after the election through the Provisional Search tool: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegProvPIN/. You must fill out all four fields in the form and click “Search.”

What is “voter history”?

Voter history includes the election date, the voting method and your county. For primary elections, it also includes the ballot style (Republican, Democratic, nonpartisan, etc.) that you voted. It will not show who you voted for. That is always confidential.

State elections officials urge voters to use the options above to ensure their ballot was counted. We also urge voters to be wary about what they read online and on social media about elections. In these days after the election, a lot of misinformation is spreading on social media.

 “Please be patient as your county boards of elections work extremely hard to ensure all ballots are counted and results are audited and certified,” Brinson Bell said. “With these options, voters can have peace of mind that their voice was heard in this election.”

Oxford Christmas Parade

Oxford to Hold ‘Reverse Christmas’ Parade; Butner to Host ‘Christmas in the Park’ Event

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

With the COVID pandemic forcing many areas to cancel or revise holiday events this year, the City of Oxford and Town of Butner announce plans to bring Christmas cheer to residents while following safety guidelines.

Oxford’s Reverse Christmas Parade – Friday, December 4 ~ 6:30 – 8 p.m.

A parade where the floats, dancers and cars are stationary and spaced apart. Those wishing to soak up the seasonal merriment can simply drive-through and enjoy from the safety of their personal vehicles.

This year’s theme is “Oxford’s Whoville Holiday” for churches, businesses and non-profits wishing to participate (please decorate accordingly).

Spaces will be measured at 60-80 feet allowing for social distancing. No candy will be given out, only waves of cheer and
encouragement!

If you would like to be a part of the ‘Reverse Parade,’ please contact Mary Yount at (919) 603-1164. Applications will be accepted through December 1.

* Oxford’s Lighting of the Greens for 2020 will be virtual (more information to come).

Butner Christmas in the Park – Drive-Thru – Friday, December 4 ~ 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Load up the kiddies with their letters to Santa and participate in a guided drive-thru at Butner’s Gazebo Park for a celebration of Christmas music, beautiful lights and to visit Santa safely from your car.

Event sponsored by the Butner Community Association.

The annual Butner Christmas Parade is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Creedmoor’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade events have been canceled due to COVID. Click here for additional information.

Granville County Logo

Social Services Observes Adoption Awareness Month

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

During the month of November, the Granville County Department of Social Services joins in the observance of Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate adoption and to help children find permanent homes. The 2020 theme for National Adoption Month is “Engage Youth: Listen and Learn.”

Each year, more than 400,000 children and youth are in foster care, with 100,000+ waiting for adoption. Many are at risk of aging out of the foster care system without permanent family connections or are children with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

According to information shared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

  • The average age of children in foster care is 8.5;
  • Almost 200,000 children in foster care in 2019 had been placed with a non-relative;
  • Neglect is the number one circumstance for children being removed from the home (63 percent);
  • Nearly 18,000 youth age out of foster care before being adopted; and
  • Five percent of children and youth waiting for adoption spend five or more years waiting for a family.

The Granville County Department of Social Services can help those interested in adoption to navigate through the process of providing a permanent home for a child in foster care. Homeownership is not required, and adoptive parents can be married, single, divorced or widowed. The cost of adopting a foster child with special needs will be provided by the child’s agency.

For more details, contact Laverne Smith, Adoption Specialist for Granville County’s Department of Social Services, at (919) 603-3348 or at laverne.smith@granvillecounty.org.

NC State Board of Elections

Guidelines for Assistance to Voters

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

Recently, questions have arisen about the law pertaining to assistance to voters at voting sites. The State Board of Elections will investigate credible allegations of improper assistance.

The following are guidelines regarding assistance to voters:

State and federal law provide disabled and illiterate voters the right to request assistance from a person of the voter’s choice, except for the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union.

There are no legal restrictions on the number of times a person can assist different voters if the voters qualify for assistance and proper procedures are followed.

Who may receive assistance

Any voter, regardless of whether they have a disability, may receive assistance from a near relative. Elections officials should avoid prying questions about the voter’s preference for assistance.

A voter whose disability prevents him or her from entering the voting booth or marking a ballot without assistance, or a voter who is illiterate, may get help from any person, except for the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. Not all disabilities are immediately apparent, but a voter who requires assistance entering the voting booth or marking a ballot due to a mental disability is just as entitled to assistance as a voter whose disability may be easily seen. N.C.G.S. § 163-166.8.

Requesting assistance

A voter who needs assistance must request it from the chief judge upon entering the voting place and identify the person the voter desires to provide such assistance. Certain disabilities may affect voters’ ability to vocalize their request, but federal law still provides that such a disabled voter is entitled to assistance. Elections officials will exercise their best efforts to understand and respond to individual requests for assistance however communicated. State administrative law provides that an election official may prompt the voter if needed if it appears the voter may be requesting assistance.

In many cases, a voter in need of assistance will be accompanied into the voting place by an assistant. Alternatively, the voter may—but is not required to—request the assistance of an election official. If the assistant helps mark the ballot, the assistant is required to mark the ballot as directed by the voter.

Assistants are prohibited from persuading or inducing any voter to cast a vote in any particular way or to vote for any particular candidate. They are also prohibited from communicating to others about how the voter voted.

Script for requesting assistance

The State Board of Elections provides a script for elections officials to use when a voter is accompanied by someone who appears to be an assistant. Elections officials are prohibited from asking the voter to identify or explain the nature of the voter’s disability. The script should be modified if the voter’s disability limits their ability to communicate. See Numbered Memo 2020-16 for the script.

Intimidation of voters

Voters have a right to freely enter the voting enclosure without fear of intimidation or harassment. It is a federal crime to intimidate, threaten, or coerce a voter with the purpose of interfering with the right of the voter to vote. Photographing or videotaping voters for the purpose of intimidation is prohibited. Observers will be ejected from the polling place if they interfere with or communicate with voters. See Numbered Memo 2020-30 for additional information.

Authority of county board of elections

It is the duty of the chief judge or one-stop site manager to ensure peace and good order at the voting place, which includes the duty to remove observers who intimidate or harass voters, and persons who unlawfully attempt to assist voters. If the chief judge or one-stop site manager needs additional support, they are to contact their county board of elections.