Tag Archive for: #granvillevancepublichealth

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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/

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Majority of Granville’s 95 COVID-19 Cases in Prison Complex; 21 Cases in Vance

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-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

UPDATE: As of April 13, 2020, there are 95 known confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Granville County. Sixty-six of the 95 cases in Granville County are inmates at the Federal Bureau of Prisons Complex in Butner, NC, while the other 29 are community-based cases.

Vance County has 21 confirmed active cases of COVID-19.

Sadly, we have had our first reported deaths due to complications from COVID-19 in both counties. A 72-year old male from Vance County died April 12, 2020. He was hospitalized and had multiple pre-existing health conditions that worsened as a result of COVID-19.

In Granville County, the Bureau of Prisons reported four deaths to Granville Vance Public Health today. On April 11, 2020, an 81-year-old male died; on April 12, 2020, a 57-year-old male and a 78-year-old male died; on April 13, 2020, a 46-year-old male died, all from complications related to COVID-19. All individuals were also hospitalized and experienced underlying health conditions.

Granville Vance Public Health maintains frequent communication with individuals who test positive. A number of people report feeling better and a few have been released from isolation. The communicable disease team at your local health department continues to perform contact tracing for individual cases with known positive test results.

Other than the outbreak at the federal prison, there is no concentration of COVID-19 cases in any one specific area.

Granville Vance Public Health continues to strongly encourage everyone to continue to stay at home unless absolutely necessary to leave, in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Orders. When you do travel to stores for essential services, you will notice they are implementing additional social distancing policies for your safety. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. However, a cloth mask is not a substitute for social distancing and proper hand hygiene.

It is important to continue to practice regular and thorough hand washing, avoid touching your face and stay more than 6 feet apart from others at all times. The efforts everyone has participated in to stay home and stay healthy have helped flatten the epidemic curve and will continue to make a difference in stopping the spread of this virus.

Call your doctor if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to see if you should be tested or need medical care. If you have mild symptoms, such as fever and cough, without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you may not need to be tested. Instead, you should isolate yourself at home and monitor how you are feeling. This will reduce the risk of making the people around you sick.

Testing is most important for people who are seriously ill, in the hospital, in high-risk settings like nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and for healthcare workers and other first responders who are caring for those with COVID-19.

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/covid-19.

Granville Vance Public Health Hosts COVID-19 ‘Virtual Town Hall’

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Granville Vance Public Health hosted a “Virtual Town Hall” session live via its Facebook page today at 11 a.m.

Public Health Director Lisa Harrison, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, Maria Parham Health (MPH) CEO Bert Beard, and Major Stephen Staton with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office addressed the COVID-19 epidemic and answered questions that were submitted by the public.

Brian Short, Henderson-Vance Emergency Management director, joined the conversation by phone.

Before beginning the question and answer session, Beard provided an update on protocol changes at MPH. “Currently, we are preparing ourselves for the potential surge that will come as a result of this pandemic. We’ve reevaluated all of our infection prevention protocols, implemented additional visitor restrictions and reduced entry points to the hospital. We’ve also modified our personal protective equipment or PPE policies to provide PPE to our staff, patients and, with limited exceptions, visitors.”

Questions the government and health officials addressed in the session include:

Q: Is it safe to go outside and exercise?

A: Yes, enjoy the outdoors and the weather but practice social distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when around others, if possible. Also, avoid congregating in parks or playing sports together.

Q: How many have tested positive for COVID-19 in our area?

A: There are currently 12 confirmed positive cases in Vance County and 76 in Granville County. Of the Granville County cases, 59 are reported at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner. These numbers can be deceiving as many infected with COVID-19 may be recovering at home without seeking testing or medical care.

Q: How many ventilators does Maria Parham Health have on-site?

A: Twenty-six ventilators with 10 being designated for emergency use.

Q: How can the public show appreciation to healthcare providers?

A: The number one way is by practicing social distancing and following stay at home orders. PPE donations, homemade mask donations for visitors, food donations and words of encouragement are also greatly appreciated.

Q: How long will we need to wear masks?

A: That is still to be determined. Homemade masks protect others from your respiratory droplets but unfortunately don’t offer much protection to you from the virus.

Q: When we see evidence of the curve flattening, how long will the Stay At Home Order remain in place?

A: That is still to be determined. It’s advisable that we stay at home at least two weeks after we see the deceleration of this epidemic.

Q: What is the best way to protect children from COVID-19?

A: Hand washing and staying at home are the best ways to protect everyone. Other suggestions include keeping their immune system strong and making sure they get enough sleep and exercise. The good news is that most children with COVID-19 have mild cases, though there have been a few exceptions.

Q: Will COVID-19 decrease in the summer months or as temperatures rise?

A: We are still learning a lot about the virus. Many are hopeful that it will decrease with the heat and humidity like other viruses, but time will tell. This also means that like other viruses, it can return in the fall.

Q: Will there be an increase in testing?

A: An increase in the number of people tested and a faster testing turnaround time is expected. Testing results went from a 48-72 hour window up to 10 days, due to demand, and is now down to approximately one day. Testing with almost immediate results is expected in the next couple of months.

To hear the session in its entirety, including more detailed responses to the public’s questions, please watch the video contained in this article, or visit the Granville Vance Public Health Department’s Facebook page (click here).

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Nine of Granville’s 18 COVID-19 Cases in Prison Facility; 6 Confirmed in Vance Co.

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-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

UPDATE: As of April 1, 2020, there are 10 additional known confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Granville County bringing the total number of cases to 18. Nine of the cases in Granville County are inmates at the Federal Bureau of Prisons facility in Butner, NC. Vance County has two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 for a total of six known confirmed cases.

All Granville and Vance county cases of COVID-19 are considered to be community spread. That means we do not know the exact point of exposure of the virus for any of the individuals who are positive. The communicable disease team at your local health department continues to perform contact tracing for individual cases with known positive test results.

For the 24 cases in the two-county district, local health department staff have notified hundreds of individuals who may have been in direct contact with someone who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19. It is clear that widespread transmission is occurring, and other than the outbreak at the federal prison, there is no concentration of COVID-19 cases in any one specific area.

Not all persons with COVID-19 will have severe symptoms, some individuals may only develop mild symptoms or show none of the symptoms at all. Individuals who are positive for COVID-19 are most likely to spread the virus when symptomatic (coughing) but those who are not coughing may also spread this extremely contagious virus.

Granville Vance Health Department strongly encourages everyone to adhere to the Governor’s Executive Orders by staying at home unless absolutely necessary to leave. While COVID-19 is a novel virus, studies show for any highly infectious disease the best way to stop the spread is to drastically limit human interactions. This will help protect you from exposure to individuals who have coronavirus, whether they are symptomatic or not showing any symptoms at all.

Additionally, this will help protect our community in the event that you may be carrying the coronavirus unknowingly. It will take our entire state working together to make the greatest impact and stop the spread.

Call your doctor if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to see if you should be tested or need medical care. If you have mild symptoms such as fever and cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you may not need to be tested, but instead, should isolate yourself at home and monitor how you are feeling. This will reduce the risk of making the
people around you sick.

Testing is most important for people who are seriously ill, in the hospital, people in high-risk settings like nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and healthcare workers and other first responders who are caring for those with COVID-19.

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/covid-19.

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Public Health Update: Three Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Granville, Two in Vance

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-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

UPDATE: As of March 26, 2020, there were two additional known confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Granville County bringing the total number of cases to three. The two individuals are in the same household.

Vance County has a total of two known confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of March 26, 2020.

All individuals have cooperated with isolation restrictions since being tested and are currently in isolation at home. Families of individuals who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 have be given information about isolation and quarantine and asked to remain at home for 14 days.

Local public health officials will notify any individuals if they may have been at risk of being in contact with these individuals in accordance with North Carolina Division of Public Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Although the two family members traveled out of state recently, all of these cases are still considered community spread.

All 50 states have reported cases of COVID-19 to the CDC. Twenty-seven U.S. states are reporting some community spread of COVID-19. U.S. COVID-19 cases include:

  • Imported cases in travelers
  • Cases among close contacts of a known case
  • Community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown

COVID-19 test results are coming from many different labs and provider offices. More than 13,000 lab tests have been completed across NC, and approximately 100 tests have been completed for residents of Granville and Vance Counties since March 11, 2020.

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/. You can also see the latest case counts, a map of affected counties, and new guidance for our state online at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc.

State guidance continues to require fever AND lower respiratory symptoms (cough or difficulty breathing) to be present in order to take a sample collection for testing. Although both counties have access to sample collection kits across different providers, testing is most important for people who are seriously ill, in the hospital, people in high-risk settings like nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and healthcare workers and other first responders who are caring for those with COVID-19.

Therefore, if you have mild symptoms such as fever and cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, you should isolate yourself as if you have COVID-19. This will reduce the risk of making the people around you sick. You can call your doctor to see if you should be tested or need medical care.

If you are in isolation, you can stop isolating yourself when you answer YES to ALL three questions:

1. Has it been at least 7 days since you first had symptoms?
2. Have you been without fever for three days (72 hours) without any medicine for fever?
3. Are your other symptoms improved?

Call your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse or you have any concerns about your health. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve the most critically ill, so please do not use the emergency room unless you are very sick.

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One Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Granville County

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-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

As of March 20, 2020, there is one confirmed case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Granville County. To protect privacy, no additional information about the individual will be shared by the health department. The affected person is currently in isolation at home.

“This is not a surprise, as we know what’s happening across the state and nation, said Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa Macon Harrison. “We expect there will be more cases as testing continues to increase. Residents should be prepared; not scared. We want to remind everyone to continue to practice prevention measures and social distancing as we try to contain the spread of COVID-19.”

Families of individuals who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 will be given information about isolation and quarantine and asked to monitor symptoms. Currently, across the state and nation, there is not enough access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or sample collection kits to test everyone across the district or state, so residents of Granville and Vance Counties are asked to not seek a test for Coronavirus unless they have symptoms of fever AND lower respiratory symptoms (cough or difficulty breathing). At this time, state guidance continues to require those symptoms be present in order to send in a sample for testing.

While the illness isn’t severe for most people, it can be really serious for some. GVPH is taking appropriate steps to stop its spread. “As seen in other countries and states with more cases, people often recover from Coronavirus,” Harrison says. “It is not yet understood why, but children tend to fare well, experiencing a lighter version of the virus and recovering more easily than adults from what is known so far.”

A global dashboard with real-time data is available on the GVPH web site at https://gvph.org/COVID-19/.

Granville Vance Public Health continues to work closely with partners across Granville and Vance counties, including hospitals, private providers, school systems, community health centers, senior centers, county and city governments, churches, emergency managers, and many others to provide education and guidance regarding mitigation efforts.

Please rely on accurate sources of information from the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and State Division of Public Health 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/.

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G-V Public Health Recommends Canceling, Modifying Events of 100+ People

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Granville Vance Public Health recommends that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people cancel, postpone, or modify these events, or offer online streaming services beginning March 13, 2020, until further notice. These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than 6 feet), such as concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large gatherings.

Organizations that gather up to 100 people should create an emergency plan and prepare for COVID-19 in their communities by taking the following steps:

  • Consider alternative options to gathering large groups of people, such as streaming video of the event or having patrons participate online.
  • Instruct participants to stay home if they are sick.
  • Encourage people who are at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, including people over 65 and those with pre-existing medical conditions, to consult with their doctor before attending.
  • Have hygiene supplies available for employees and participants, including hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, tissues, and lined trash cans.
  • Promote behaviors that prevent the spread COVID-19 among participants and employees using the enclosed resources.
  • During and after the event, disinfect frequently-touched surfaces with a cleaning agent that is effective against coronaviruses.
  • Decrease close contact between attendees at the event. For example, place seats farther apart or reduce the number of attendees.

Please let us know if you would like additional educational information for distribution or you may access these materials online through the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html or through the NC DHHS website here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/materials-and

 The local risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low; however, we still encourage you to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 and any other flu-like illness by taking the following steps:

  • 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 which is at least 60% alcohol on all surfaces of the hands and wrists.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Stay away from sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces – especially ones that are frequently touched – using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Stay home if you’re sick and don’t send sick children to school or childcare.
  • High-risk individuals should avoid large gatherings such as concerts, church services, and sporting events.

As questions and concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) increase across North Carolina, we’d like to encourage the promotion of the statewide Coronavirus Helpline (1-866-462-3821) for the public, which is answered 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

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Town Talk 03/04/20: Harrison, G-V Public Health Director, Discusses Coronavirus

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

In light of recent news that North Carolina’s first case of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in nearby Wake County, Harrison addressed the local health department’s response to the disease.

“Viruses change over time, and this is an emerging situation,” explained Harrison. “We at Granville-Vance Public Health are paying close attention daily to information that comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Division of Public Health, the State Health Director and our whole epidemiology team who are very involved right now with our response in the United States and in North Carolina.”

According to the CDC, coronavirus, much like a cold or the flu, can spread between people who are in close contact with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those suffering from the virus are thought to be at least mildly contagious before showing symptoms but are more likely to infect others when they are the most symptomatic.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed cases. Symptoms, including fever, cough and shortness of breath, may appear 2-14 days after initial exposure.

The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled to an area with an ongoing spread such as China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea. Your healthcare provider will work with the public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

While not a time to panic, Harrison said it is important that residents seek credible sources for COVID-19 updates and take precautions to avoid exposure including:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water (at least 20 seconds each time)
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed or washed hands
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
  • Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or bend of the arm when sneezing or coughing
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the knowledge of your public health service,” Harrison said. “The most important thing to stress to individuals and families in Vance and Granville County is that everyone needs to continue to take precautions to protect themselves from the spread of any respiratory illness, including the flu and colds.”

A toll-free helpline has been established for those with questions about COVID-19 and can be reached by calling 1-866-462-3821.

You may also find additional information by visiting the Granville-Vance Public Health website at www.gvph.org and the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.

To hear the interview with Harrison in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Local Granville-Vance Health Director Attends White House Coronavirus Briefing

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government and Lisa Harrison

The local, Granville-Vance Public Health Director, Lisa Harrison, attended a White House Briefing this week about the Coronavirus.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Harrison joined representatives from more than 30 states and territories for a federal/state/local discussion about Coronavirus. The point was for communities to be prepared.

Pictured (left to right) are Pramod Dwivedi, MS, MSW, MA, BSc, Linn County Public Health in Iowa; Jennifer Kertanis, MPH, President-elect of NACCHO and the Farmington Valley Health District, Connecticut; Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH, Granville Vance Public Health Director, North Carolina; and George Roberts, Jr., MHA, FACHE, President of NACCHO Northeast, Texas Public Health District, Texas. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Harrison told WIZS News her biggest takeaway from the briefing is that all levels of government are working together to update, communicate and respond. She said, “Local, state and federal levels are committed to ensuring the public health and safety is the best it can be. We have an important job of communicating clearly and well during this time in a way that’s appropriate to this new virus and its risk, but that doesn’t land with people in a way that makes them panic anymore.”

Of course, it is flu season too, and Harrison said, “The flu virus is much more deadly and common in the U.S., and I find it interesting to balance people’s perception of risk with this new virus versus how people continue to shrug their shoulders and deny the flu vaccine.”

The NC Division of Public Health has a helpful web site (https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html) and a phone number people can call if they have questions.

Harrison added, “I need to stress that there are currently, as of today, no cases of novel coronavirus cases in NC.  Nobody needs to get a mask or worry unnecessarily at this point. We do suspect we will have a case in the future and are hopeful that like every other place in the US, the virus will be mild and people will recover fully.”

A 24-hour, main phone number for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is (919) 733-3419.

A Granville County Government press release said that in her role as regional representative/Board member for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Harrison was one of approximately 40 state, county and city health officials invited to attend and participate in this briefing, which also acknowledged the leadership roles of state and local health officials in meeting community needs.

 

‘Prescription Drug Take Back’ Event to Help Community Properly Dispose of Meds.

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Lindsey Bickers Bock, health education supervisor with the Granville-Vance Public Health Department, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the Prescription Drug Take Back event taking place in Oxford this weekend.

Held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the local event will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Professional Pharmacy, 140 Roxboro Rd (near Food Lion) in Oxford.

The event is a partnership between G-V Public Health, Professional Pharmacy, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and Harm Reduction Coalition NC.

“We invite the community to bring any type of medication that they aren’t using anymore, as well as any used or unused syringes, to Professional Pharmacy on Saturday and let us help you dispose of them in a safe way,” said Bickers Bock.

Participants are asked to bring medication and syringes in their original containers and to mark over or scratch out identifying information; no personal information is required for participation.

According to Bickers Bock, the event is also an opportunity to educate the public about potential prescription drug abuse and consequences.

“The Take Back event is done as part of the Vibrant Coalition that works to reduce the risk of an opioid overdose. We know that one of the ways people end up misusing opioids is by having too much medication available to them after needing the prescription for only a short time.”

In fact, Bickers Bock said studies have shown that having just a five-day supply more than needed makes a person twice as likely to use opioids a year later.

In a recent press release sent to WIZS concerning the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., expressed concern about the on-going opioid crisis both state-wide and on the national level.

“Across the county and here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, we are facing a real and dangerous threat from opioids and other prescription drugs,” said Higdon. “We have unprecedented levels of addiction, frightening numbers of overdoses and an alarming number of deaths because of the over prescription and improper use of these drugs. And this requires each of us to work to solve it. By properly disposing of prescription medication we do not need, we can reduce the risk that these drugs will fall into the wrong hands. Please help us resolve this problem by participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”

For more information on G-V Public Health and/or the Prescription Drug Take Back event being held in Oxford, please visit www.gvph.org. With additional questions, please contact Bickers Bock at (919) 693-2141, ext. 148 or email lbickersbock@gvdhd.org.

To locate a collection site that may be closer to you, please go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city or state.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Bickers Bock in its entirety, click here. Bickers Bock’s portion of the interview begins at the 12:38 mark.