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.

Local News Audio

Noon News 11-9-20 Covid19;Bridge Closure;provisonal Ballots;development project;City Council

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Stories include:

– Covid19 figures

– bridge closure at Weldon’s Mill

– Provisional ballots to be counted

– Tobacco Warehouse redevelopment in downtown Henderson

– city council meeting

For full details and audio click play

 

HPD Shaw and Simmons

HPD’s Shaw & Simmons Presented With ‘Life Saving’ Award

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-Information and photos courtesy the Henderson Police Department

Henderson Police Department’s Officer Shaw and Sgt Simmons were presented with the department’s “Life Saving” Award by their Lieutenant, J. Ferguson last week. This is Sgt Simmons’ second Life Saving Award during his tenure with the department.

On October 17 at 1:58 a.m., Sgt. Simmons and Officer Shaw responded to a residence on Hughes Street to investigate a call from a neighbor that smelled smoke and could hear someone screaming. When they arrived, they heard the screaming and saw smoke coming from the residence. They immediately radioed for fire units to respond and notified communications that a person was inside.

With the help of a neighbor, Simmons and Shaw were able to breach the door. They could not initially locate the person due to the heavy smoke. Shaw was finally able to enter the residence, and with just a minimum amount of visibility, located the resident, and led him out of the home to safety.

Fire and EMS units arrived and treated the citizen for serious smoke inhalation and other symptoms. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

The HPD shared that “these are the moments that rarely are told unless told by us; expect to see us begin to share more. These officers went above and beyond.”

NCDOT

Weldons Mill Road Bridge Closed; Replaced Next Year

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, NCDOT

N.C. Department of Transportation crews closed a Vance County bridge today due to the deterioration of its superstructure.

The Weldons Mill Road bridge over Sandy Creek was built in 1949 and is set to be replaced next year.

The department is scheduled to award a contract to replace the bridge in February. Work would begin in March and be completed by the end of 2021.

Traffic will use New Bethel Church, County Line, Southerland Mill and Vicksboro roads to get around the closure.

Drivers should be mindful of crews working in this area and factor the detour into their commutes.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board of Elections to Meet Next Week on Provisional, Absentee Ballots

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-Information courtesy Faye Gill, Vance County Board of Elections

Vance County Board of Elections Director Faye Gill has announced that the Board will meet on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 10 a.m. to review provisional ballots. There are 55 provisional ballots for Vance County.

On Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 5 p.m., the Board will meet to review absentee ballots there were received by 5 p.m. on November 12.

Local News Audio

Noon News 11-6-20: Provisional ballots; Covid19 Update; TownTalk; Urban Redevelopment

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Noon News for 6 Nov. 2020. Stories include:

– Provisional Ballots in North Carolina

– Latest figures on Covid19

– TownTalk

– Zene St. Urban redevelopment

For full details and audio click play

 

City of Henderson Logo

City Council to Discuss Montgomery St. Demolition, Transit Grant Match

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-Information courtesy the City of Henderson

The Henderson City Council will meet on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave. in Henderson, NC.

Due to COVID-19 health mandates issued by Governor Cooper, the number of citizens allowed into Council Chambers is limited. However, members of the community are strongly encouraged to provide questions/comments for Council in writing as follows and to listen via Zoom:

Written Comments:

  1. Email written comments to emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us
  2. Emails received by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Comments are limited to three minutes per person.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86279244810?pwd=UVFnbHp6UldRZG1Ebi8vcjhSMk1hUT09

Meeting ID: 862 7924 4810

Passcode: 987074

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,86279244810#,,,,,,0#,,987074# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,86279244810#,,,,,,0#,,987074# US (Chicago)

Agenda Items Include:

Recognizing retiree Police Captain Steven Vaughn.

Directing the Code Compliance Director to remove or demolish the structure at 622 E. Montgomery Street for failure to comply with the Minimum Housing Code (Chapter 21).

Approval of a $30,000 non-federal match for a NCDOT Federal Transit Administration Grant in the amount of $1.25 million for the Connecting Rural and Urban Triangle Communities through an Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Project.

Awarding Change Order #1 to S.T. Wooten in the amount of approximately $50,000 and not to exceed $100,000 for the Henderson 2020 Pavement Overlay Project.

Adoption of the 2021 City Council meeting schedule.

Authorizing the acceptance of a Bureau of Justice Assistance Office Grant for the Bulletproof Vest Program for the Police Department for FY 21.

Click here to view previous and current Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes.

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
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.”