Tag Archive for: #coronavirus

Situation Report – As Expected, Vance Has A Case

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Henderson-Vance Emergency Management Director Brian Short has released the latest situation report, and included in it is information about Vance County’s first positive Coronavirus case.

In an adjoining press release from Granville-Vance District Health Department Director Lisa Harrison, she wrote, “There is one confirmed case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) that we know of in Vance County. The affected person is currently in isolation at home and has cooperated with the restrictions since being tested. Local public health officials will notify individuals if they may have been at risk of being in contact.”

Short wrote in his latest local situation report, “Today, we had our first instance of an individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus in Vance County. The individual is being isolated at home and our local health department is conducting contact tracing to determine the level of exposure to others. This was anticipated and presently does not constitute any changes to our current response posture or our recommendations to the general public.”

The case count is above 250 in North Carolina, but the death count is zero.  You can track information online.  Short wrote, “Please visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus statistics page at the following link to stay current on the number of cases in our state: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc.”

Harrison wrote, “Both Granville and Vance County’s first cases are considered community spread – neither one has traveled out of North Carolina recently that we know of at this time.”

The local health department and health care professionals continue to work tirelessly to identify cases through testing, tracking the cases and notifying the public while maintaining the privacy of the individual patients.

Being smart, practicing good hygiene and limiting unnecessary trips is the guidance right now regardless of the number of positive cases in the local community.

“Personal protective equipment (PPE) continues to be very scarce as global competition for the same supplies is occurring. Responders and health care providers are being encouraged to reuse PPE, in particular masks as often as possible to ensure that we hold on to our supplies for as long as possible. Once they run out, they could be out for an extended period of time,” Short wrote.

Henderson and Vance County remain under a local State of Emergency, a necessary precaution which allows implementation of certain emergency protective measures if and when they should become necessary.

Based on press releases from the respective agencies, both the Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office are responding to nonemergency calls via telephone.  Both arms of the local law enforcement community are still responding as they always have to emergency calls.

Short concluded his local situation report as follows:

“We continue to encourage our citizens as they shop for groceries and other related items to please shop smart. Our local convenience stores and grocery stores and working hard to restock their shelves and for the most part, items are available for them to do so, however we have to allow them to do that. That means using good shopping practices and buying only what you need for yourself and your family.

“We are strongly encouraging our citizens to continue to observe the social distancing parameters being order by the Governor and suggested by our local and state public health agencies. If you need to go to work, the grocery store, pharmacy or other necessary trip, please do so but we are encouraging everyone to stay home as much as they possibly can. In particular those individuals that are already at risk due to age or other medical conditions.

“Many of our local restaurants have been very creative about continuing to provide their services to our citizens whether it be keeping their drive through services open, offering online ordering or curbside services and this is greatly appreciated.”

Harrison wrote, “Please rely on accurate sources of information from the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and State Division of Public Health (https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina) as well as your own local public health officials. Granville Vance Public Health will provide the most up-to-date and accurate information for COVID-19 in our district online at https://gvph.org/.”

GVPH included the following additional information in the press release from Harrison:

“Although we have enough sample test kits to work with those who are showing symptoms of illness, we do not have the supplies to test everyone at this point. Dr. Guthrie, Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director, offers a reminder there are things we can all do to stay protected from COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a generous amount of hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol, on all surfaces of the hands and wrists.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Disinfect surfaces – especially ones that are frequently touched – using household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Listen to the advice about social distancing and reducing the spread of this virus – we all have a part to play and staying home is a simple way to reduce spread.
  • Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Understand things are changing quickly and everyone is still learning.

“What to do and when to seek medical evaluation and advice:

  • If you or a family member has fever AND lower respiratory symptoms (cough or difficulty breathing), call your healthcare provider first. The person who tested positive in Vance did all the right things – called first, was able to prepare the provider for testing and everyone addressing the patient was able to remain at low-risk for exposure in the situation. That is the ideal way to ask for a test – to talk through it first – and that is what we ask of everyone.
  • Emergency rooms need to be able to serve the most critically ill so do not use the Emergency Room unless you are very sick. Emergency warning signs include, but are not limited to: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; Persistent pain or pressure in the chest; New confusion or inability to arouse; Bluish lips or face
  • Only call 9-1-1 if you are having an emergency.
  • You may call the statewide Coronavirus Helpline if you have questions at 1-866-462-3821, which is answered 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.”

N.C. Gov. Says No Public School; No Gatherings Over 100

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This afternoon (Saturday, March 14, 2020) about 4:30, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper conducted a press conference and provided an update on novel Coronaviris in N.C.

He said, “Today I’m issuing an executive order to stop mass gatherings of more than 100 people across our state.”

The Governor said North Carolinians need a statewide response and statewide action.

He said, “The executive order has another key component. It directs all K-12 public schools across our state to close for students on Monday, March 16th for at least two weeks.”

Gov. Cooper said these actions are to provide new guidance as the State works to limit the spread of the virus.  He said these orders make the guidance on schools and gatherings mandatory.

At the time of the press conference, the Governor quoted statistics from this morning (March 14, 2020) citing 23 positive tests in 12 Counties.

He said we are all changing our ways of life to contain and limit the virus, and “now we need to ask you to change even more.”

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Working to Keep Students & Staff Healthy

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the GCPS District Safety Task Force convened for their regular monthly meeting. This group of approximately +/- 40 members has a laser focus on improving and protecting the safety, health and welfare of students and staff in our school district.

Superintendent McLean created the District Safety Task Force shortly after arriving in the district more than two years ago. Since that time, it has been extremely successful in addressing areas of concern with rapid and effective solutions. The Safety Task Force consists of a wide variety of stakeholders, including board members, law enforcement officers, first responders, health care officials, local elected officials, faith-based leaders, district administrators, school nurses, principals and, of course, parents.

At this recent meeting, one of the agenda items was COVID-19, or the “Coronavirus,” and how the district should plan and prepare for its potential threat. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina, and the threat of the virus remains very low. In fact, the district has recently been more focused on absenteeism and illnesses caused by the common cold and influenza viruses. In just the past two weeks, some schools have had nearly 1/3 of students and staff out as a result.

The district’s immediate response to those outbreaks, as recommended by the CDC and the Departments of Health, largely focused on the following three tactics:

  • Practicing and encouraging good personal hygiene (Frequent and proper handwashing, coughing or sneezing in the bend of elbow or sleeve, using tissues, just being “courteous” with your space, etc.).

  • Thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces or high traffic areas using Lysol or similar products which are highly effective at killing the viruses.

  • Staying home when sick, and avoiding people who are sick.

These three main tactics are highly effective against the spread of any such contagions and should be practiced by all, especially when considering the potential future threat of COVID-19.

One additional item of consideration is the use of facemasks. According to the CDC, the use of facemasks is NOT recommended for use by people who are well. Instead, only those who show symptoms should wear them, but ideally, those individuals should stay home and be isolated if possible.

Dr. McLean has already begun close dialogue and scheduled meetings with our local Health Department officials, school nurses and healthcare experts. “We are certainly not attempting to create a scare or undue alarm. Just like we drill, practice and prepare with any other potential threats, we are simply doing what is needed to keep our children and staff safe. After all, if you are ready, then you don’t have to get ready.”

The district continues to work with the Health Department and other experts to create action plans for the district. GCPS would like to thank everyone in the community in advance for their attention to this matter. The safety, health and well-being of everyone in our community is the top priority for GCPS!

Vance County Schools Addresses Coronavirus Concerns

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools continues to follow the guidance of local, state, and federal health officials regarding all communicable diseases. With the current concerns around COVID-19 coronavirus, the state of North Carolina has no reported cases at this time. Medical experts have indicated that the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are the same recommendations for preventing the spread of the flu.

The district is in the process of installing hand sanitizer stations near the Main Entrances of all of our facilities. All hard surfaces will be appropriately cleaned with EPA-registered disinfectants. Also, additional refresher training is being provided to our custodial and maintenance teams. Our buses will be disinfected appropriately as well.

The district is encouraging students and staff to follow basic prevention guidelines. Here are some helpful tips that, with everyone’s help, will aid in prevention:

  • Wash your hands frequently – and thoroughly. Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Remain home with a fever – if you have a temperature of 100.4 or greater, you should remain home until you are 24 hours fever free without fever-reducing medication.
  • Use the appropriate EPA-registered disinfectants on high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, tabletops, electronics, light switches, and more.

We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust protocols and processes as warranted. Updates will be posted on our district website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

 Additional Information and links:

Vance County Schools: Emergency Health Information for Coronavirus can be found here.

What you need to know about Coronavirus (English) can be found here; in Spanish here.

Coronavirus Q&A can be found here.

How to Clean and Disinfect Schools to Help Slow the Spread of the Flu information is available here.

Coronavirus updates from the CDC can be found here.