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NC Extends Safer at Home Phase 2, Adds Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks. Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread.

Cooper and Cohen were joined by Dennis Taylor, President of the North Carolina Nurses Association and Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health.

“North Carolina is relying on the data and the science to lift restrictions responsibly, and right now our increasing numbers show we need to hit the pause button while we work to stabilize our trends,” said Governor Cooper. “We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school.”

“I know North Carolinians are strong, resilient and care deeply about our communities. We pride ourselves on helping our neighbors. The best way we can do that now is by taking the simple action of wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth. If we each do our part, we can get back to the people and places we love,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, NCDHHS Secretary.

Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus. Until now, face coverings had been strongly recommended. Under today’s executive order, people must wear face coverings when in public places where physical distancing is not possible.

In addition, certain businesses must have employees and customers wear face coverings, including retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming; employees of child care centers and camps; state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet; workers and riders of transportation; and workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing and healthcare and long-term care settings.

“Wearing a face covering is an easy thing to do that can make a huge impact for all of us. A major spike in cases would be catastrophic to the system, and without your cooperation, nurses and our fellow healthcare providers will have a harder time caring for sick patients for weeks and months to come,” said Dennis Taylor, a nurse, and President of the North Carolina Nurses Association.

“As the leader of the state’s largest health system, I am pro-health and also 100 percent pro-business. In fact, the two are inextricably connected and I’m very proud of the way business leaders and health experts are working together to keep our economy strong,” said Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health. “Medical science says to reduce the spread of COVID-19 masking works, and my sincere hope is that all the people of North Carolina can join forces to make wearing a mask not something we feel we have to do – but something that we want to do to keep each other, our neighbors, our children and our loved ones healthy and safe”

Based on the metrics laid out in April by Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, North Carolina is evaluating a combination of the data from the following categories that shows the indicators moving in the wrong direction, causing officials to implement today’s pause in Phase 2.

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

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is increasing.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases starting to level, but is still increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive remains elevated.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations are increasing, though we have capacity in our healthcare system.

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

  • North Carolina is averaging more than 17,000 tests a day for the past week and there are more than 500 sites listed online plus additional pop-up sites.
  • North Carolina labs and labs around the country are seeing supply shortages for laboratory chemicals needed to process tests.

Tracing Capability

  • There are over 1,500 full-time and part-time staff supporting contact tracing efforts at the local health department level, including the 309 Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative contact tracers. These new hires reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and 44% are bilingual.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Our personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.
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Vance County Water Committee to Discuss Capacity Fee Revision

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners

Vance County’s Water Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Monday, June 29, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. to discuss a capacity fee revision.

The meeting will be held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 06/24/20 Noon

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WIZS – Your Community Voice

Local News on 1450 AM / 100.1 FM; Weekdays 8am, 12 Noon, 5pm

  • Covid-19 Numbers
  • Free Covid Testing at Shiloh Baptist Church
  • Smart Start
  • Reach Out and Read
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

 

Mt. Zion Food Distribution

Free Community Food Distribution at Mt. Zion United Church of Christ

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Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 911 Morgan Road in Henderson, will be the site of a FREE food distribution drive-thru on Friday, June 26, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Food is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

For the safety of everyone involved and to adhere to current social distancing guidelines, everyone should stay inside their vehicle and open their trunk to receive the food.

This event is sponsored by Gang Free, Inc., Helping All People Excel (H.A.P.E.) and Williamsboro/Townsville area churches.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 06/23/20 Noon

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WIZS LOCAL NEWS AT NOON ON 06/23/20

WIZS – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE

  • Covid-19
  • Louisburg Confederate Statute
  • Henderson Public Safety Committee (masks)
  • Granville Commissioners (closed session)
  • Henderson Delinquent Water Bills

 

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Henderson Public Safety Committee to Discuss Mask Wearing – June 25

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss: 1) wearing masks; 2) parking issues; 3) fireworks and 4) street signage.

This meeting will be available via Zoom and the public is welcome to observe. Information regarding how to join the meeting will be posted on the City’s website (click here) no later than 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Jacob Comer

VGCC Student Receives Top Academic Honor 

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College student Jacob A. Comer of Rougemont was recently named the recipient of the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award for 2020. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is honored with the award each year. 

Comer, a home-schooled high school student, has taken college transfer classes at VGCC through the “Career & College Promise” program since 2018. He took classes not only in the fall and spring semesters but also in the summer, thus reducing the time it would take him to complete an Associate in Arts degree. Twice, he has made the VGCC President’s List, which recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a least 12 curriculum credit hours per semester.

Jacob Comer of Rougemont is the VGCC recipient of the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award for 2020. (VGCC Photo)

Recently, Comer completed his VGCC classes, meaning that he is now a high school graduate and a graduate of the community college. During his last semester, he continued to excel even while taking on extra responsibilities at home to help his family as his mother recovered from a major medical operation.

While at VGCC, Comer was not only focused and determined to reach his own academic goals, but he also helped other students with science, math and writing, as a peer tutor for the college’s Academic Success Center. 

Soon, with the college transfer credits and enhanced confidence he gained at VGCC, Comer will continue his education at Concordia University Wisconsin. He intends to complete a bachelor’s degree, double-majoring in Applied Theology and Theological Languages.

“We are proud that Jacob has been recognized among North Carolina’s outstanding community college students, and we congratulate him on his success,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “At a young age, Jacob is off to a strong start in his educational journey, and with his perseverance and dedication to academics, we are sure he will continue to excel.”

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Free Community COVID-19 Testing Event at Shiloh Baptist Church – Wed., June 24

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville-Vance Public Health

The Granville Vance Public Health Department (GVPH), local health professionals and Shiloh Baptist Church of Henderson will offer free community COVID-19 testing in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The church is located at 635 College Street in Henderson.

This is a “walk-through” event. For those who will be driving to the church, GVPH asks that vehicles use the Arch Street entrance to the parking lot.

Nasal swab testing will be performed and those tested will be contacted with their results approximately 3-5 days after the event.

Testing is free to all who attend, however, a limited number of testing supplies are available. The purpose of the event is to focus on particularly vulnerable populations. This includes those who may not have a primary care provider, those who lack access to transportation, and/or those who are uninsured or under-insured.

For those who have transportation and/or a primary care provider, there are many opportunities to be tested. If you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you can call your provider or the health department to see if you should be tested.

GVPH encourages the public to stay tuned to its website (click here) for additional times and locations for community testing events throughout the summer.

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H-V Chamber of Commerce to Welcome New Teachers; Donated Business Items Needed

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to welcome approximately 140 new teachers to the Vance County area for the new school year. The schools include Vance County Public Schools, Henderson Collegiate, Crossroads Christian School, Kerr-Vance Academy and Vance Charter School.

The Chamber is looking for donations from local business owners to pack into bags for these teachers. Suggested items include pens, pencils, pads, hand sanitizer, coupons/discount cards, key chains, etc.

A business donation of the actual bags is also needed.

If your business would be able to donate an item for each teacher, or with any questions, please contact the Chamber at (252) 438-8414.

Downtown Henderson

City of Henderson: Action Required on Delinquent Water, Sewer Accounts

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The Impact of Executive Orders 124/142 on Your City of Henderson Utility Account

Effective March 31, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order (EO) 124. Governor Cooper issued EO 142 that became effective on May 30, 2020. These Executive Orders state that the City is unable to disconnect water and sewer service for late payments incurred from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.

Below is a summary of these provisions and how it affects your utility account.

Suspension of Disconnections:

  • As of March 31, 2020, EO 124 suspended disconnections for non-payment. (As of March 17, 2020, the City suspended disconnections for non-payment.)
  • The disconnection suspension continues through July 29, 2020.
  • The suspension applies to accounts that incur delinquencies beginning March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.
  • The City may disconnect services for any reason other than stated above.
  • After July 29, 2020, the City will resume disconnections according to normal policies with one exception:
    • According to the Executive Order, local governments may not terminate service to residential customers who incur a delinquency from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, who are complying with the terms of a payment plan.

Suspensions of Late Penalties:

  • The City may not apply late penalties for delinquent payments of regular charges on residential accounts that are due from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.
  • The City may charge late penalties on accounts that became delinquent prior to March 31, 2020.

Payment Plan Mandates:

  1. The City is required to offer residential customers who incur a delinquency from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, the option to participate in a payment plan that extends payments up to six (6) months after July 29. The payment plan will divide the delinquent balance due into multiple installment payments instead of mandating a payment in a lump sum. The current bill amounts over the six month period will be included in the payment plan.
  2. The City has set a strict deadline of August 31, 2020, in which payment plans must be made for these past due balances. Please contact the Customer Service Department at 252-430-5700 to make an appointment.
  3. If you DO NOT create a payment plan by 5 p.m. on August 31, 2020, you will be required to pay the TOTAL past due balance incurred between March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, in full by 5 p.m. on January 25, 2021, in order not to have services disconnected.  

Services will be disconnected without exception if you do not take one of the steps above within the time frame set above.