Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19: 68 Cases, 3 Deaths in Vance; 130 Cases, 5 Deaths in Granville

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-Update from Lisa Harrison, director of Granville Vance Public Health

Vance County has 68 known cases of COVID-19 as of April 26, 2020.

10 of those 68 have been released from isolation;
7 of those 68 are inpatient (in the hospital);
28 of those 68 are associated with the Pelican Health Nursing Home outbreak.

There have been 3 deaths in Vance County related to COVID-19. A 72-year old male from Vance County died Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was hospitalized at the time and had multiple pre-existing health conditions that worsened as a result of COVID-19. An 82-year old male from Vance County died Thursday, April 23, 2020. He was in Hospice Care. An 81-year old female from Vance County died Saturday, April 25, 2020. She was in the hospital at the time of death and was the initial positive case identified at the Pelican Health Nursing Home on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

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Granville County has 130 positive test results for COVID-19 in the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System or NCEDSS as of April 26, 2020.

44 of those 130 are community-spread cases located across Granville County.

21 of those 44 have been released from isolation – enough time has passed since initial symptoms appeared and since test results came in. 21 individuals who were positive for COVID-19 in Granville County a few weeks ago report they are feeling better. GVPH does not have official guidance for ‘recovered’ at this time.

86 of those 130 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Butner, NC. More about their response can be found online at https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/. GVPH numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data and NC county map: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

46 of those 86 have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 5 deaths reported by the Bureau of Prisons associated with the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC:

April 11, 2020, an 81-year-old male died,
April 12, 2020, a 57-year-old male and a 78-year-old male died,
April 13, 2020, a 46-year-old male died, and
April 16, 2020, a 67-year-old male died.

All inmates died from complications related to COVID-19. All individuals were also hospitalized and experienced underlying health conditions.

GCPS to Shift to Once a Week Meal Distribution Beginning May 5

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools is reaching out to provide updates about our drive-thru meal service program for children.

First, we’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone in the community who stepped up to help feed our children during the spring break. Volunteers from across the county stepped up and made an enormous difference with their generosity and love. Be sure to check out the video HERE celebrating their actions.

Since Spring Break ended, our meal service program has shifted to three days a week, with service occurring at the same sites across the county on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On these days, two breakfasts and two lunches will be provided for each child.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 5, we will then shift our services to ONE day a week. This will occur each Tuesday at all of the same sites through the end of the school year.

On each Tuesday, starting May 5, meal packs with menu directions will be provided for seven breakfasts and seven lunches – a full weeks’ worth of food!  This shift will reduce the risk to our staff during this pandemic, and it will also increase the number of meals provided to students each week.

So, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 5, the start of our ONE DAY a week meal service. We will send out additional reminders, but you can also find this information on the GCPS’s district website.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold Financial Work Session April 27

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet (electronically) for a Financial Work Session on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 6 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to receive a presentation and updates from staff on the School Systems finances and general budget-related topics.

The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.

Members of the public may watch the open session portion of the meeting live through a link to be posted on the Board’s website. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/player?udi=Z3Nj&c=Z3JhbnZpbGxlMQ%3D%3D  

Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Club to Resume Dinner Meal Program

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-Information courtesy BGCNCNC

Beginning on Monday, April 27, 2020, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina will restart its dinner meal program.

BGCNCNC understands the needs and struggles for some of our families and hopes that this meal will relieve some of the burden as they continue to maneuver the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meals are provided Monday – Friday from 4:30 until 6 p.m. at the following locations:

Granville Club – 105 West St. in Oxford

Vance Club – 212 N. Clark St. in Henderson

Roanoke Rapids Club – 116 W 3rd St. in Roanoke Rapids

Guidelines:

  • Your child must be a member to receive a meal.
  • Stay inside your vehicle unless directed otherwise – no walkups.
  • Please be patient, follow the direction of staff and volunteers and respect social distancing guidelines.
  • Please look for signage at each site. You will be directed where to line up.

Please visit www.bgcncnc.com for more information.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Second COVID-19 Related Death Reported in Vance; Five at Butner Prison Complex

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of April 23, 2020, there were 118 known cases of COVID-19 in Granville County, 37 cases in Vance County and 7,608 confirmed cases in North Carolina. Of the positive test results in Granville County, 76 are being reported at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC.

There have been a total of seven deaths in the health district – two in Vance County and five with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

Of the 41 community-based cases in Granville County, 18 have been released from isolation. At the Federal Correctional Complex, 41 of the 76 cases have been released from isolation.*

Of the 37 cases in Vance County, 10 have been released from isolation.*

*Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH) does not have official guidance at this time to determine whether someone is ‘recovered’ since many details about this virus and its effects are still being discovered. GVPH shares the number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ as determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

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

‘Little Light Challenge’ Asks Community to Show Support for Local Heroes

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

A community challenge has been initiated to show support for local heroes while bringing residents and businesses together all across the county. The “Little Light Challenge” is a project of the Granville Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC), serving as a visible way to thank the many essential workers on the “front lines” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each Monday at 8 p.m., participants are asked to leave lighted luminaries, outdoor candles, porch lights and/or strings of Christmas lights outside their homes and businesses in honor of the local doctors, nurses, public health professionals, pharmacists, drug store employees, first responders, law enforcement officers, 9-1-1 operators, social workers, grocery store employees, truck drivers, farmers, trash collectors, plumbers, electricians, construction crews, government workers, nonprofit organizations, news reporters, assembly workers and many others working from the front lines on our behalf.

Those participating in the “Little Light Challenge” are asked to take photos to post on their social media pages, including a reference to the project through a hashtag mention. When posting pictures online, please add #littlelightchallenge to the posting, as well as #VisitGranvilleNC.

“We are grateful to our partners for their support,” said Tourism Director Angela Allen. “The hope is that we continue to rise to the occasion to support our community, doing our best to stay together while staying apart.”

Partners include Granville County Government, the Town of Butner, the City of Creedmoor, the City of Oxford, the Town of Stem and the Town of Stovall.

For questions or for more information, please contact Allen at 919-693-6125 (angela.allen@granvillecounty.org) or Mary Yount, Director of the DOEDC, at 919-603-1100 (mary.yount@oxfordnc.org).

U.S. Department of Justice

Butner Federal Prison Escapee Arrested

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that RICHARD R. CEPHAS of Wilmington, Delaware, was arrested on April 20, 2020, by the United States Marshals Service (USMS).

CEPHAS turned himself in at the Federal Courthouse in Delaware, approximately eighteen days after he is alleged to have escaped from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Butner, North Carolina on or about April 1, 2020.

Yesterday, CEPHAS had an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Delaware. He waived all preliminary hearings and was remanded to the custody of the USMS.

CEPHAS is currently pending transfer back to the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC) to face escape charges.

As alleged in a federal Criminal Complaint, signed by United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers, II on April 17, 2020, CEPHAS is charged with escaping from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Butner, North Carolina on or about April 1, 2020. The USMS led the investigation of CEPHAS’ alleged escape. More here.

U.S. Attorney Higdon said the following, “We are grateful for our dedicated law enforcement officers, particularly the United States Marshals Service, who investigated Mr. Cephas’ alleged escape over the past several weeks. They pursued this case in the face of the heightened risk presented by the pandemic in order to ensure the public’s safety – an example of the critical role that law enforcement plays in protecting us every day. Mr. Cephas will be extended his Constitutional rights when he appears in Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina, including the presumption of innocence and the requirement that the Government proves the escape case against him beyond a reasonable doubt. We look forward to presenting our case before the Court.”

At the time of his alleged escape, CEPHAS was serving the remainder of his prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Butner, NC.

In 2017, CEPHAS was sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Delaware to a term of 66 months in federal prison – for his violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 (a)(l) and (b)(l)(A) and 846, Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine. The conviction and sentence resulted from a long-term High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) federal wiretap investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Trafficking Task Force in Delaware. More about that investigation here.

The charges and allegations contained in the Criminal Complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold Financial Work Session Online

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet (electronically) for a Financial Work Session on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 4:30 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to receive a presentation and updates from staff on the School Systems finances and general budget-related topics.

The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel and Attorney/Client Privilege.

Members of the public may watch the open session portion of the meeting live through a link to be posted on the Board’s website. To join the live stream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/player?udi=Z3Nj&c=Z3JhbnZpbGxlMQ%3D%3D

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Total COVID-19 Cases Increase for Vance, Granville; Several Released From Isolation

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health and Brian Short, director of H-V Emergency Management

As of April 20, 2020, there are 113 known cases of COVID-19 in Granville County, 31 cases in Vance County, and 6,764 confirmed cases in North Carolina. Of the positive test results in Granville County, 74 are being reported at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC.

There have been a total of six (6) deaths in the health district – one in Vance County and five with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County. Of the 39 community-based cases in Granville County, 11 have been released from isolation and 10 of the 31 cases in Vance have been released from isolation.

According to a recent update from Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance Emergency Management, three individuals remain hospitalized in Vance County, while 18 individuals are currently isolated at home.

Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH) does not have official guidance at this time to determine whether someone is ‘recovered’ since many details about this virus and its effects are still being discovered. GVPH can share the number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ as determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

According to the CDC site, the decision to discontinue isolation should be made in the context of local circumstances. Options now include both 1) a time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery (non-test-based) strategy, and 2) test-based strategy.

Time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy (non-test-based strategy):

Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

  • At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
  • Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,
  • At least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Test-based strategy:

Previous recommendations for a test-based strategy remain applicable; however, a test-based strategy is contingent on the availability of ample testing supplies and laboratory capacity as well as convenient access to testing. For jurisdictions that choose to use a test-based strategy, the recommended protocol has been simplified so that only one swab is needed at every sampling.

Persons who have COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms may discontinue isolation when at least seven days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and have had no subsequent illness provided they remain asymptomatic.

For three days following discontinuation of isolation, these persons should continue to limit contact (stay six-feet away from others) and limit any potential dispersal of respiratory secretions by wearing a covering for their nose and mouth whenever they are in settings where other persons are present.

In community settings, this covering may be a barrier mask, such as a bandana, scarf, or cloth mask. The covering does not refer to a medical mask or respirator.

While the mainstream media has begun to have discussions about ‘reopening the country,’ Short stated that H-V Emergency Management continues to strongly encourage citizens to continue to observe social distancing parameters and closing orders.

To stay current on the number of cases in our state and local area, please visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Coronavirus statistics page at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc.

GVPH is also updating its website with Vance and Granville statistics daily at www.gvph.org/COVID-19/

Granville Co Sheriff

Granville Co. Sheriff’s Office Conducting Annual Firearms Qualifications

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Sheriff’s Office

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting annual firearms qualifications from Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 24, 2020, in accordance with the guidelines set for by the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission.

This training will be held at the Sir Walter Raleigh Gun Club at 2507 Hester Road in Creedmoor, NC after 5:30 p.m.

Residents of this area are being made aware of the scheduled training and the increased noise in the area, especially after daytime hours.

Please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (919) 693-3213 with any questions.