Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: 23 Deaths in Granville, Vance Health District

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of May 17, 2020, there are 194 known cases of COVID-19 in Granville County, 177 cases in Vance County, and 18,512 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC, one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC, and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 98 in Granville County are associated with the prisons, 46 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 17 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Of the 96 community-based cases in Granville County, 48 have been released from isolation and one is hospitalized.

Of the 98 cases in the prison system, 66 have been released from isolation.

Of the 177 cases in Vance, 48 have been released from isolation and 13 are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 23 deaths in the health district – 17 in Vance County and 6 with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

This Weekend at SHPHC: Potato Giveaway, Frank Sossamon in Concert

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It’s a big weekend at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church. Events Saturday and Sunday at SHPHC on Americal Road in Henderson include a potato giveaway Saturday morning and Frank Sossamon in concert Sunday evening, not to mention worship opportunities.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17, the annual Frank Sossamon Concert will be performed outside on the church grounds and broadcast live over WIZS 1450 AM /100.1 FM and streamed live, click on “Listen Live,” at WIZS.com.

On Saturday, May 16, at 8 a.m., South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, Plank Chapel United Methodist Church, Cokesbury Methodist Church and Grace Ministries will team up to give away potatoes to the community. All you need to do is show up at 905 Americal Road before the potatoes run out, and they are free.

The event organizers just wanted the different churches and organizations to band together as one to give back to the communities to show the love of Christ through giving. The potato giveaway is meant also to bring a sense of unity between the communities.

It will be a mix of red russet and white potatoes, and the area churches will be putting them in 10-pound bags. The event runs from 8 a.m. until the potatoes are gone.

The live radio broadcast Sunday at 6 p.m. is sponsored in part by Brigg’s Auto and Machine Service, Brigg’s Grading and Excavating, Donald D. Pergerson, Attorney at Law, Moody Brothers Jewelers, I Exterior, The Men’s Fellowship of SHPHC and Carolina Carpet & Flooring.

Vance County Schools Logo

Vance Co. Schools’ Free Meal Distribution Continues Through June 9

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools will continue distributing free meals Monday – Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. through June 9, 2020. Meal distribution will not be available on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

Meals are available at Aycock Elementary, Clarke Elementary, EM Rollins Elementary, EO Young Elementary, New Hope Elementary, Zeb Vance Elementary, Vance County Middle and Vance County High.

Meals are available at these locations in a drive-thru format.

Meal units that are passed out Monday – Wednesday will include two meals – lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning. Thursday distribution will include two breakfasts and two lunches.

American Legion Post 60, Red Cross to Host Community Blood Drive

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-Information courtesy Jeremy Hetrick, American Legion Post 60

Henderson American Legion Post 60 will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, May 23, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Legion Post Corner of Garnett and Spring Streets.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 252-204-4742, or sign up online at
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Legion60.

“Post 60 is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Jeremy Hetrick, Post Adjutant. “This blood drive is our way of giving staff, colleagues and neighbors an opportunity to help save lives.”

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross.

“We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”

According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.

The American Legion is a Non-Profit Veterans Organization. Henderson American Legion Post 60 is active in Vance County with over 100 members and supports both veterans and the local community.

Noon News 05/15/20

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
John Charles Rose gives details for plans for a drive-through high school graduation for Vance High, as well as details about the Granville County graduation.
Covid 19 upgate.
Virtual bingo with the Henderson Vance Rec Department.

Vance County High School

Drive-Thru Graduation Planned for VCHS; Program of Events Announced

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County High School’s graduation event is set for Saturday, May 23, 2020. Vance County Schools released the following information for those participating in the drive-thru style event:

Program of Events

At your designated time, enter from Rock Mill Road to Mt. Carmel Church Road (by Clarke Elementary). No open-air
vehicles or passengers in truck beds are permitted. Please do not arrive before your scheduled time.

Welcome

Receive your graduation program

Station 1: Graduate Check-in

One vehicle per graduate | stop at the check-in station | a paper with the graduate’s name will be placed under the windshield wiper

Station 2: Line-up

Follow directives of staff for vehicle line up | pay careful attention to the line to keep it moving smoothly

Station 3: Processional

When the graduate nears the graduation station, a runner will take the windshield wiper sign to the name reader

Graduate Preparation Zone

Pay attention to signs for directions

Station 4: Graduation

Wait for the sign to show the graduate may exit vehicle | the student will walk to the stage | the student’s name will
be called as they walk across the stage | receive diploma cover and photo opportunity | the student will return to vehicle immediately | the car will then join the recessional line

Station 5: Recessional

Watch for signs and move to the graduate pick up spot | all vehicles must make a right on to Garrett Rd upon exiting graduation

Guidelines:

No restroom facilities will be available | cap & gowns with VCHS stole are required to participate in graduation | the
graduate should be positioned in the vehicle to be the only person that needs to step out of the car upon arrival at the graduation point | graduation signs can be picked up after all graduation ceremonies have concluded

Arrival Time by Graduate’s Last Name:

  • 9 a.m. ~ A-B
  • 9:30 a.m. ~ C-D
  • 10:15 a.m. ~ E – Harley
  • 10:45 a.m. ~ Harris – J
  • 11:30 a.m. ~ K-M
  • 12 p.m. ~ O-R
  • 12:45 p.m. ~ S-V
  • 1:15 p.m. ~ W-Z

Note from Vance County Schools: We are excited about graduation! It is our hope that seniors will celebrate by decorating their cap or even their vehicle. As a reminder, no open-air vehicles are permitted (convertibles, bikes, open-top jeeps, etc) and no one will be permitted to ride in the back of a pickup truck. Only one vehicle is permitted per graduate.

As you proceed through the graduation line-up, you will see signs giving instructions. We ask that you pay close attention to ensure a smooth process. Everyone must remain in their vehicle throughout. The graduate will be informed when they are able
to exit the vehicle. We also ask that you avoid loud music and horn honking.

We cannot wait to celebrate the Class of 2020!

NC Governor Logo

North Carolina’s Key COVID-19 Indicators Remain Stable

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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 shared an update on North Carolina’s key COVID-19 indicators. The data and trends show that North Carolina remains stable nearly one week into Phase 1.

“Our COVID-19 decisions are guided by the data and the science,” said Cooper. “We will use the time in this phase to keep a careful eye on the data and the indicators before we are ready to announce the start of Phase 2. North Carolinians should continue to stay home if they can and take precautions to keep themselves safe.”

“Continued stability in these trends is a real positive for our state. While we remain on a good path for the 14-day trends we need to see to move to Phase 2, our progress as a state is still dependent on our individual actions,” said Dr. Cohen. “We need to continue to protect our loved ones and our neighbors. If you leave home, practice three Ws – wear, wait and wash.”

Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen also announced that DHHS now has a list of testing locations on the DHHS website.

The list includes more than 200 sample collection sites in 54 counties, with more being added as they are verified. The list is comprised of health care providers, pharmacies and retail locations, local health departments and others that are providing testing for COVID-19. Some of the sites that are federally funded do not cost anything for the individual being tested. Doctors and clinicians may also provide testing at their offices.

Based on the metrics laid out last month by Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, officials need to continue watching the trends before announcing a shift into Phase 2.

Secretary Cohen reported North Carolina remains stable on the following key metrics:

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

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

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is slightly increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive has been decreasing and is starting to level.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is 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

  • North Carolina has doubled the daily testing rate from approximately 2,500-3,000 to more than 6,000

Tracing Capability

  • The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has already hired close to 100 new contact tracers adding to the 250 already working at our local health departments.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Supply chains continue to improve with the exception of gowns.

The Phase 1 executive Order remains in effect until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22.

However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase 2. Phase 2 will only start if data and indicators remain stable.

Read a copy of today’s graphs and slides.

VGCC Truck Driver Training Program Gears Back Up

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is excited to announce that its CDL Truck Driver Training Program is back up and running.

The program, offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, has been on hold since early March when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all face-to-face classes to cease. The N.C. Community College System has made an exception to allow colleges to resume educating students in transportation courses like Truck Driver Training, in-person.

On May 11, students returned to class and to a “new normal.” Portions of the new daily routine for students include temperature checks, face masks, social distancing in trucks and on the truck practice range.   

“Qualified and licensed truck drivers are essential employees, especially during these uncertain times,” said Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College and Career Readiness for VGCC. “We are excited to get the students back in training, so they can become licensed and employed with companies who need drivers to move goods and services across our service area and across the country.” 

During the next five weeks, students will continue honing their driver training skills such as backing skills, completing pre-trip inspections and backing up to a loading dock. Students will also continue to get their miles and time on the road. All of these skills and requirements are essential in preparing them for the DOT exam in order to get their official CDL-A license and be fully employable as a truck driver. 

For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program at Vance-Granville Community College, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

‘Virtual Bingo’ Offers Fun, Home Delivery of Prizes for Seniors 55+

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will hold a community-wide “Virtual Bingo” for seniors ages 55 or better on Friday, May 22, 2020, from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m.

Participants can join Virtual Bingo by computer or phone.

Participants must contact Crystal Allen by phone (252) 431-6091 or email callen@ci.henderson.nc.us to register for Virtual Bingo by Friday, May 15.

Prizes will be delivered to participants’ homes following social distancing protocols.

Local News Audio

Noon News Audio: 05/14/20

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WIZS – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE
1450 AM / 100.1 FM / Click on Listen Live on WIZS.com

Local News at 8a, 12noon, 5p; M-F

Today at Noon:

  • City Budget
  • County Budget
  • Covid-19 in Granville-Vance
  • VGCC Dr. Jeffery Allen, success of African-American Males