North Carolina Moves Forward: The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency                                                                  Carolina del Norte Sigue Adelante Fin de la Emergencia de Salud Pública de COVID-19

RALEIGH – May 11, 2023

The U.S. public health emergency that was declared to respond to COVID-19 ends today. North Carolina will continue to distribute the federally funded COVID-19 vaccines and tests for free to individuals who are uninsured while supplies last.  Please click here to read the full press release.

FDA issues Changes to Requirements for Oral Antiviral Treatments- On February 1, 2023, the FDA revised the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for Paxlovid and Lagevrio to remove the requirement for positive COVID-19 test results to prescribe treatment. The FDA still recommends that SARS-CoV-2 viral testing be completed to help diagnose COVID-19. However, in some rare instances, individuals with a recent known exposure (e.g., a household contact) who develop signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 may be diagnosed with COVID-19 by a health care provider even if they have a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. In such instances, a health care provider may decide that treatment is appropriate if the patient is experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms, is at high-risk for severe disease, and all other eligibility requirements are met.

Officials Encourage Boosters as COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rise:  NCDHHS aligns with CDC Guidance and outlines what individuals should do if they are exposed to or contract COVID-19 – With hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rising, boosters remain the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones out of the hospital, officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services noted on December 29, 2021.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Moderna, Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available – COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available for more North Carolinians.  The Food and Drug Administration has authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots to help strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19 infections.   To read the full press release, please click here and here (Spanish).

AMEXCAN Calls for Vaccinations and Preventative Measures – North Carolina has reached 14,726 deaths from COVID-19.  Cases continue to increase due to the new delta variant. As a result, the Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN) calls on the Mexican and Latino community to join the “United for Our Health” campaign and the vaccination campaign.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Student Interns Support Local Governments, Nonprofits Across North Carolina: NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps Contributes to Recovery, Increases Student Support – Across North Carolina, college students are helping out local governments and nonprofits thanks to a program started by Governor Roy Cooper’s administration to provide extra support as the state works to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps is in its second year of helping place college and university students into internships with local governments and nonprofits across the state. Launched in 2020 to address the impact of COVID-19, Response Corps interns continue to provide critical support to organizations that are leading the way in pandemic recovery.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Gov. Cooper Issues Executive Order to Relax State’s Outdoor Mask Mandate and Ease Mass Gathering Limits State continues to strive to get two thirds of adults at least partially vaccinated – On April 28, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress.  As the state’s metrics and key indicators remain stable, Governor Cooper also signed an Executive Order outlining safety measures for the month of May. Executive Order No. 209 will take effect April 30 and is set to expire June 1.  As more North Carolinians get vaccinated and adhere to safety protocols over the course of the next month, the state anticipates lifting more restrictions on June 1.   To read the full article, please click here.

Governor Cooper and Legislative Leadership Release PSA Encouraging North Carolinians to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine –  On April 7, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper joined bipartisan legislative leaders to release a PSA urging North Carolinians to get COVID vaccines now that all adults are eligible for vaccinations.  The Governor joined House Speaker Tim Moore, Rep. Robert Reives, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Senator Dan Blue in advocating for vaccinations.  Please click here to read the complete press release.

North Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Opens for All Adults on April 7 – On April 6, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress as tomorrow also marks the opening of vaccine eligibility for Group 5.  This means anyone 16 years and older who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination is eligible to get one.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

COVID-19 Support Services Program Connected More Than 35,000 Households with Needed Support to Help Them Isolate, Quarantine – Through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 Support Services Program, more than 35,000 households received relief payments, food, transportation to and from testing sites or additional supports to help them isolate or quarantine during the pandemic.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Governor Cooper Announces Accelerated Timeline for Vaccination Eligibility:  State launches public private partnership on vaccine equity – On March 25, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., announced an accelerated timeline for moving to Groups 4 and 5 for vaccine eligibility with the rest of Group 4 eligible on March 31st and all adults eligible beginning April 7th.  The move will allow the state and vaccine providers to continue to get vaccines into arms quickly and continue to reach underserved and historically marginalized populations.   To read the full press release, please click here.

Gov. Cooper Announces North Carolina Will Relax Some COVID-19 Restrictions:  State’s trends continue to move in the right direction and key indicators used to inform decisions throughout the pandemic remain stable – As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases with 31.7% of North Carolinians over 18 having received at least one dose of vaccine, Governor Roy Cooper announced on March 23, 2021 that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions.  Executive Order No. 204 will take effect March 26 at 5 pm is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Trillium Allocates over $6 Million in Flexibilities and New Programs for Continued Assistance During Pandemic – On 8/28/20, Trillium Health Resources announced increased provider payments and expanded number of service hours for those with mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).  Please click here to read the full press release.

Governor Cooper Visits the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina: Announced $50 Million in Proposed Funding to the Food Bank and Other Organizations – On August 27, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper visited the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  Governor Cooper toured the facility and spoke with volunteers preparing food boxes for seniors in need.  “As we combat this pandemic, the work of the Food Bank is more important than ever, and we need to support their critical efforts,” said Governor Cooper.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Adds Testing Turnaround Times to COVID-19 Dashboard – On August 26, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it has added new data to the COVID-19 Data Dashboard – average turnaround time for COVID-19 testing.  Located on the Testing page, the graph shows the average daily turnaround time based on data from all laboratories that report electronically to NCDHHS. Individual laboratories may have shorter or longer turnaround times and, therefore, people’s individual experiences may vary.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Governor Cooper Proposes Budget to Continue Fighting COVID-19 While Investing in NC’s Future “Support for a Determined North Carolina” lays out a path to weather the pandemic while boosting the state in the long term – On August 26, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper shared a recommended budget, Support for a Determined North Carolina, which outlines how to use the state’s remaining federal coronavirus funding and make responsible investments in the state’s future.  “Today I am sharing a recommended budget that offers Support for a Determined North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper.  Click here to read the full press release.

New NCDHHS Toolkit to Help Community Organizations Host COVID-19 Testing Events – On August 25, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released a Partner COVID-19 Testing Toolkit designed for organizations seeking to host community testing events. The comprehensive toolkit comes in response to widespread interest among North Carolina organizations such as community-based organizations, churches and nonprofits.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Announces COVID-19 Support Services Program for Individuals in Isolation or Quarantine – On August 25, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) awarded four contracts to regional organizations to administer its new COVID-19 Support Services program.  The program will support North Carolinians in 20 targeted counties who are asked to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and need assistance such as food, relief payments, or access to primary medical care.  Click here to read the entire press release.

Governor Cooper Announces $175 Million to Assist with Rental, Utility Payments for North Carolinians:  Funding covers three new initiatives to help North Carolinians – On August 25, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced $175 million to help North Carolinians with rental and utility payment support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “COVID-19 has strained family finances across North Carolina, and many people are struggling to make ends meet,” said Governor Cooper.   “People need a safe, stable place to call home, especially during this pandemic, and we must help keep people in their homes and keep their utilities on while our economy recovers.”  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Launches “¡Recuerda las 3Ms!” Campaign to Increase Awareness of Preventative Measures to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 – On August 24, 2020, the “¡Recuerda las 3Ms!” (Know your 3Ms) campaign was launched by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) as part of a larger public outreach campaign designed to reach historically marginalized populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.  Click here to read the full press release.  Español

NCDHHS Announces Upcoming No-Cost COVID-19 Community Testing Event – On August 24, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced 55 upcoming community testing events scheduled in Cabarrus, Chatham, Clay, Gaston, Jackson, Montgomery, Robeson, Rowan, Scotland, Wake and Wayne counties as part of the initiative to increase access to no-cost COVID-19 testing, particularly for African American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities that currently have limited testing sites.  Click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Colleges and Universities – On August 21, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services updated guidance for institutions of higher education, further emphasizing that colleges and universities must work to reduce risk of viral spread of COVID-19 both on and off campus. In compliance with existing Executive Orders, colleges and universities should be requiring and enforcing that students and staff wear cloth masks that cover the mouth and nose and limit social gatherings — whether students are on campus or off campus.  Click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Sends Additional COVID-19 Testing Capacity to Counties – On August 19, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced its selection of an additional vendor — StarMed Urgent and Family Care, P.A. — based in North Carolina, to continue surging COVID-19 testing capacity in the state.  These new community testing sites build on North Carolina’s ongoing work to increase access to testing and slow viral spread.  Click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Expanding Mental Health Supports for Teachers, School Personnel and Their Families – On August 17, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it is expanding the Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) to serve North Carolina’s teachers, school personnel and their families.  With schools opening in-person and remotely across the state under new health and safety procedures, NCDHHS and the NC Psychological Foundation can provide these personnel with mental health and resilience supports through Hope4Healers. Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Encourages WIC Participants to Use Food Benefits During COVID-19 – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging North Carolinians who are enrolled in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to use their food benefits during COVID-19 to support good nutrition for their families.  All WIC participants are getting monthly food benefits automatically added to their eWIC account because of the pandemic.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

New Grant Program Accepting Applications to Help Businesses and Nonprofits Hurt by COVID-19:  $15 million available from the new Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) – On August 13, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could qualify for up to $250,000 from a new state grant program.  The Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) through the agency’s website.  Click here to read the full press release.

New Grant Program Accepting Applications to Help Businesses and Nonprofits Hurt by COVID-19:  $15 million available from the new Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) – On August 13, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could qualify for up to $250,000 from a new state grant program. The Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) through the agency’s website.  Click here to read the full press release.

Executive Order Extends School Immunization, Health Assessment Deadlines in Response to COVID-19 Access Disruptions – On August 12, 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 156 extending, but not waiving, proof-of-immunization and health assessment documentation deadlines for school and child-care facilities. With health care visits limited in some cases due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the order will give students and families more time to get their required vaccines and health assessments completed.  Click here to read the full press release.

Governor Cooper Directs $95.6 Million to Support Students Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic – On August 12, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper directed $95.6 million in new funding to help support K-12 and postsecondary students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who can benefit from support during the upcoming school year.  The funding is North Carolina’s share of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, a part of the federal CARES Act.  The GEER funds are intended to provide emergency support to school districts, postsecondary institutions, or other education-related entities for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Corrects COVID-19 Testing Totals After Identifying LabCorp Reporting Discrepancy; No Impact to Key Metrics – On August 12, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced corrections to the state’s daily and cumulative completed COVID-19 test counts after discovering a discrepancy between electronic and manual reporting of testing data that had been submitted by LabCorp.  The LabCorp data error resulted in a higher count of total COVID-19 tests performed. The reporting error does NOT affect the key COVID-19 NC Dashboard trends North Carolina uses to monitor this pandemic, including the number of new positive cases and percent of tests that are positive.  This error did not impact reporting of results to patients or doctors.  Click here to read the full press release.

Child Care Hotline Available To Help Families with School-Age Children Find Care – Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs.  Click here to read the full press release.

North Carolina Has First Reported SARS-CoV-2 Positive Case in Dog – On August 11, 2020, the  North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it has received its first reported case of a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive dog in North Carolina. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.  Click here to read the full press release.

North Carolina Offers Expedited Funding to Increase Community Non-Congregate Shelter Options During COVID-19 – On August 11, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced a new, expedited reimbursement program that aims to expand non-congregate sheltering options in communities across the state.  Click here to read the full press release.

Even in a Pandemic, North Carolina is Prepared for Hurricane Season –  North Carolina has seen more than its fair share of devastating storms, particularly in the past few years.  When hurricane season comes around, we don’t have the luxury of sitting back and seeing how it goes — even when we’re in the middle of a global pandemic – we have to be ready.  A hurricane on top of the COVID-19 pandemic is double trouble. For months, North Carolinians have been strong to get through this pandemic.  As Hurricane Isaias barreled down on North Carolina, North Carolinians had to dig even deeper.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Upcoming NCDHHS COVID-19 No-Cost Community Testing Events – On August 10, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced 34 upcoming community testing events scheduled in Alexander, Bertie, Cabarrus, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Greene, Hertford, Jackson, Lenoir, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Wake, Wayne and Wilson counties as part of the initiative to increase access to free COVID-19 testing for African American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities that currently have limited testing sites.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS to Pay for Ongoing Testing of Nursing Home Staff; Codifies Requirement for Biweekly Nursing Home Staff Testing – On August 7, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) took additional steps to protect nursing home residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing a Secretarial Order requiring biweekly staff testing and announcing continued state funding for staff testing through November.  The order mandates the existing recommendation for biweekly testing.  The Department is also deploying additional infection control support teams to support ongoing efforts to help long-term care facilities prevent and manage outbreaks.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Selects Vendors to Supervise 250+ New Community Health Workers in 50 Counties with COVID-19 Hot Spots – On August 7, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced its selection of seven vendors to hire and manage over 250 Community Health Workers, who will be deployed in 50 targeted counties to connect North Carolinians affected by COVID-19 with needed services and support.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NC Rural Educators Get Support for Remote Learning:  Leadership conference shares best practices and tools to tackle teaching remotely due to COVID-19 – More than 1,300 educators from rural North Carolina participated in a virtual conference focused on remote learning to help them be better prepared to teach throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Governor Cooper opened the REAL(Remote Education and Leadership) Conference, and gave the welcoming remarks via video message.  To read the full press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #18:  Jones County Confirms Additional Deaths Related to COVID-19 – Jones County Health Department regrets to report additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths of Jones County residents.  Four (4) individuals died between the dates of August 1, 2020 and August 6, 2020 from complications associated with the COVID-19 virus.  All individuals were considered high risk for the virus due to age and/or underlying medical conditions.  To protect the privacy of the families involved, no further information will be released.  Please click here to read the full press release.

State of North Carolina Has Distributed 3.5 Million Cloth Face Coverings, 4.5 Million Procedure Masks and Additional PPE Supplies Across the State –  On August 6, 2020, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the NC Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) announced they have distributed approximately 3.5 million cloth face coverings, 4.5 million procedure masks, and significant amounts of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) to targeted settings across the state.  The ongoing PPE shipments support operations including schools, nursing homes, first responders, agricultural facilities, child care facilities and courthouses.   Please click here to read the full press release.

As Students Return to School, North Carolina to Remain Paused in Phase 2:  Stabilizing trends are good but fragile, and now is the time to double down on safety measures – On August 5, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another 5 weeks as students and staff return to schools, colleges and universities and the state doubles down on efforts to decrease COVID-19 numbers.  To read the full press release, please click here.

DHHS Releases Request for Applications for Innovative COVID-19 Support Service Program – On July 31, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for regional partner organizations to administer an innovative new program to support individuals in targeted counties who need supports like food and transportation to successfully quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

Governor Cooper Announces Additional COVID-19 Funds Disbursed to 97 Counties for Public Health and Essential Services NC Pandemic Recovery Office Disburses Additional $150 Million Of Federal Funds Allocated During Legislative Session –  On July 30, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that an additional $150 million in federal funds provided for COVID-19 relief to counties has been disbursed this week.  These funds are from the state-administered Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that was passed by Congress.  The funds represent the second half of $300 million appropriated by statute to county governments.  Counties are required to offer a minimum of 25% of their total allocation of the funds to municipalities.  To read the full press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #17:  How to Prepare for the Hurricane Season During the COVID-19 Pandemic – The National Hurricane Center is already starting to issue storm advisories that could impact the North Carolina coast line.  As the hurricane season starts, which runs from June 1 to November 30, it is important for residents to start thinking about their preparations. The COVID-19 pandemic will add additional challenges such as reducing the number of residents at a storm shelter due to social distancing.  However, you can start thinking about your plans and how you would prepare for any upcoming storms.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Announces Annual Participation in USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program – On July 29, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Nutrition Services Branch announced its annual participation in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), ensuring children and adults continue to have access to good nutrition.  NCDHHS is committed to providing nutritious food especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and USDA flexibilities are in place to facilitate meeting participants’ needs during this challenging time.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Governor Roy Cooper Signs Executive Order No. 153 Limiting the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages After 11 pm – With actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 beginning to have impact, Governor Roy Cooper is doubling down on prevention measures with Executive Order 153 stopping the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries at 11 pm.  North Carolina bars that are currently closed will remain closed. This order will take effect Friday, July 31st.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Upcoming NCDHHS COVID-19 Community Testing Events Scheduled; Testing is Free – On July 27, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced 39 upcoming community testing events scheduled in Bladen, Duplin, Johnston, Edgecombe, Henderson, Hertford, Northampton, Randolph, Robeson, Sampson and Warren counties as part of the initiative to increase access to free COVID-19 testing for African American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities that currently have limited testing sites.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Joint Statement of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Consulates General of Mexico and Guatemala – On July 23, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. with Claudia Velasco-Osorio, Consul General of Mexico in Raleigh, and Jorge Archila, Consul General of Guatemala, released the following statement on the effect of COVID-19 on the Latinx/Hispanic Community.  We are deeply grateful to our Latino community for their hard work and recognize the vital role this community plays in keeping North Carolina running.  Many in our Latino community work in essential jobs in food, construction, manufacturing and other industries that are the backbone of the state’s economy.  The nature of these jobs puts our Latino community at higher risk of getting COVID-19 both at work and in our neighborhoods.  To read the full press release, press here (English) or here (Spanish).

Congress Needs to Act Now and Extend Unemployment Benefits for Struggling Workers – Next week, thousands of North Carolinians who are out of work due to COVID-19 will see a drastic reduction in their unemployment benefits despite this pandemic being far from over.  The additional $600 a week unemployed workers have received from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program has been a lifeline for struggling families and communities over these past few months.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

State Announces Delivery of Personal Protection Equipment for Agricultural Workers: State Partnership Delivering 900,000 Masks and Infection Control Supplies to Protect Health and Safety of Farmers and Agriculture Worker – On July 21, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among the agricultural workforce, delivering critical personal protection equipment for use by agricultural workers across the state.  “Agriculture is vital to our economy and food supply and it is critical that we protect farmworkers and their families from this virus,” said Governor Cooper.  To read the full prelease, please click here.

Rockefeller Foundation Report: NCDHHS COVID-19 Testing Policies Set National Example – On July 21, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ announced that its work to increase COVID-19 testing access, including its innovative universal testing strategy within skilled nursing facilities, has been cited as a national model in the Rockefeller Foundation’s newly-released National COVID-19 Testing & Tracing Action Plan.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Adds New Hospital Data to Interactive COVID-19 Dashboard – On July 20, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services unveiled an updated COVID-19 Dashboard that includes more granular information about hospital capacity and hospitalization trends, both statewide and broken down by region.  These new hospitalization data will provide additional insight into North Carolina’s hospital capacity in the COVID-19 pandemic.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Selects Additional Vendors to Expand Testing and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 – On July 17, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) selected 13 businesses to join its pool of qualified vendors to support the state’s response to COVID-19, bringing the total number of vendors to 39. North Carolina is responding to the pandemic on multiple fronts, including building the state’s testing and contact tracing infrastructure, while surging assets in communities and populations that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Urges Congress to Pass Additional State Support for Coronavirus Response:  Letter to NC Congressional Delegation Outlines Stabilization Funds Needed to Restore Economy, Help State Governments Cover Cost of Pandemic – On July 17, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper sent a letter to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation asking for their continued support addressing the critical needs of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Governor Cooper called on the delegation to help North Carolina accomplish a complete recovery while addressing health care needs.  Please click here to read the complete press release.

Governor Cooper Announces NCDHHS Spanish Language Website and Tools to Check for COVID-19 Symptoms – On July 16, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) launched new online tools to help Spanish-speaking North Carolinians to determine if they should consider being tested for COVID-19 and help individuals monitor their symptoms if they have tested positive for or been exposed to COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here (English) or here (Spanish).

North Carolina K-12 Public Schools to Require Key Safety Measures to Allow In-person Instruction:  Districts may choose to conduct school entirely by remote learning; North Carolina will continue to pause in Safer At Home Phase 2 for three more weeks – On July 14, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen were joined by education and health leaders to announce health and safety plans for K-12 public schools for the new school year.  Schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires face coverings for all K-12 students, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building, and other safety protocols.  To read the entire press release, please click here.  To read Executive Order #151, Extension of Phase 2 Measures to Save Lives in the COVID-19 Pandemic, please click here.

NCDHHS COVID-19 Community Testing Events Announced; Testing is Free – On July 14, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced community testing events in Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Johnston, Northampton, Sampson and Wake counties as part of the initiative to increase access to free COVID-19 testing for historically marginalized communities that currently have limited testing sites.  Click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Reports Highest One-Day Increase of COVID-19 Positive Tests – On July 11, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported the state’s highest one-day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,462 reported. It is the highest one-day increase to date.  Hospitalizations were also at a record high with 1,093 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS to Send Community Health Workers to Underserved COVID-19 Hot Spots –  On July 9, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued a Request For Proposals for an initiative that will send up to 250 Community Health Workers to historically underserved areas with high COVID-19 caseloads.  Starting in August, teams of trained frontline public health professionals will connect North Carolinians affected by COVID-19 with needed services and support.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NC College Students Help Local Governments, Nonprofits with COVID-19 Response: Cooper Administration Creates NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps initiative to Provide Virtual Public Service Internships – On July 9, 2020, an effort by Governor Roy Cooper’s administration was announced matching North Carolina college students in need of work experience with local governments and nonprofits seeking additional help to support COVID-19 response efforts.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Public Health Risk Associated with Methanol-contaminated Hand Sanitizers – On July 7, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in alerting consumers of adverse health effects associated with methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers.  The warning follows CDC reports of seven people in New Mexico who experienced serious health events, including permanent blindness and death, due to purportedly ingesting methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers or rubs manufactured in Mexico.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

North Carolina Announces Statewide COVID-19 Test Standing Order, Requires Reporting of All Test Results – On July 7, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) took action to decrease barriers to COVID-19 testing by issuing a Statewide Standing Order for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing, as well as a State Health Director Temporary Order on COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Reporting.  Please click here  to see the full press release.

North Carolina to Deploy Up to 300 Free Testing Sites in Underserved Communities – On July 7, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched the Community testing in High-priority and Marginalized Populations (CHAMP) Initiative to Increase access to no-cost COVID-19 testing for African American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities.  Click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Reports Highest One-Day Increase of COVID-19 Positive Tests –  On July 3, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported the state’s highest one-day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 2,099 cases reported.  Hospitalizations are also at a record high with 951 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here.

North Carolina to Continue Working Toward Getting Students Back in the Classroom This week, the state has provided personal protective equipment to schools around the state as preparations continues – On July 1, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper shared that North Carolina will continue working with schools, teachers, parents, and health experts to ensure that plans for school this coming year will protect everybody, especially those at high-risk.  Click here to read the entire press release.

Hometown Strong Effort to Help Rural NC with COVID-19, Economic Recovery:  Mary Penny Kelley Named Executive Director of Hometown Strong – Hometown Strong, an effort created to forge partnerships between rural communities and state government, will expand its focus to help all 80 rural North Carolina counties respond to COVID-19 and strengthen local economies.  On July 1, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper announced he has named Mary Penny Kelley as the new Executive Director of Hometown Strong.  She takes charge of the rural initiative at a time when communities most need a partner in state government to deliver reliable information and resources during the coronavirus pandemic.  To read the full press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #15:  Jones County Sees an Increase in Confirmed COVID-19 Cases – Since June 18^th, Jones County has seen an additional 9 confirmed COVID-19 cases.  From April 7^th (date of first positive cases) through June 30^th, Jones County has 35 confirmed COVID-19 cases.  Possible factors that could be contributing to the increase in cases are: 1) Increased testing for COVID-19; 2) Increased exposure in workplace settings; 3) Reduced use of face coverings and social distancing; and 4) continued circulation of COVID-19 throughout in our community.  Click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Launches Testing Initiative for Nursing Homes – On June 30, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it will partner with Omnicare, a CVS Health company, to make facility-wide testing available to residents and staff in all North Carolina skilled nursing facilities.  There are over 400 nursing homes in the state with approximately 36,000 residents and more than 30,000 staff. Testing will begin in July and continue through August.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Selects Organizations to Address Impact of COVID-19 on LatinX Community – On June 26, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it has awarded grants to five local North Carolina organizations to help address the disparate impact COVID-19 is having among the state’s Hispanic and LatinX communities.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Expands County Data; Reports COVID-19 Clusters at Schools, Child Care Settings – On June 26, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced it has expanded the COVID-19 Dashboard to include expanded county data on trends, demographics and testing.  The updated dashboard also includes a new report on COVID-19 clusters in child care and school settings.  Click here to read the full press release.

North Carolina Pauses in Safer At Home Phase 2, Adds Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings:  As trends move in the wrong direction, state will not yet move into Phase 3 – On June 24, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks. Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Releases Improved Online Applications for Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services – On June 23, 2020, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released improved online applications for Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) that will help both North Carolina families and county Departments of Social Services (DSS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.  These new applications will reduce administrative burden for county DSS and help applicants maintain social distancing when applying for these programs.  Please click here to read the full press release.

State and Territorial Health Officials to the American Public: COVID-19 is Not Over – On June 23, 2020, Nathaniel Smith, MD, MPH, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) president and secretary of health at the Arkansas Department of Health, and Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO, issued the following statement on the use of face coverings and other public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  To read the complete press release, please click here.

North Carolina Creates Nation’s First Statewide Infrastructure Connecting Healthcare and Human Services:  NCCARE360 Now in All 100 Counties to Help North Carolina Respond to and Recover from COVID-19 – Through a public-private partnership, North Carolina has created the nation’s first statewide technology platform, NCCARE360, to coordinate whole-person care uniting traditional healthcare settings and organizations that address non-medical drivers of health, such as food, housing, transportation, employment and interpersonal safety.  NCCARE360 is now available in all 100 counties.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Selects First Vendors to Expand Testing and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 – On June 19, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) selected 26 businesses to form its initial pool of qualified vendors to support the state’s response to COVID-19.  North Carolina is responding to the pandemic on multiples fronts, including building the state’s testing and contact tracing infrastructure, while surging assets in communities and populations that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Signs 11 Bills, Vetoes One – On June 19, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper signed eleven (11) bills into law and vetoed another bill.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

NCDHHS Allocates $35 Million to Local Health Departments for COVID-19 Response – On June 16, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it is allocating $35 million in federal funding to local health departments to support the COVID-19 response.  Per federal guidelines, counties will be able to use these funds to support COVID-19 staffing, infection controls, testing and tracing, IT infrastructure and data sharing and visualization.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Announces $26 Million to Help Mitigate the Economic Disruption of COVID-19, Including Assistance for Families Facing Eviction – On June 15, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that the state’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have begun to receive flexible funds that can be used to help low-income individuals and families meet a variety of needs caused by the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.  These funds are part of the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and can, among other allowable uses, help eligible residents facing eviction with unmet rent and utility expenses.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Proclaims Healthcare Heroes Day 2020 – Governor Cooper Proclaimed June 15, 2020, Healthcare Heroes Day to recognize the daily heroic sacrifices made by healthcare professionals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In honor of our frontline heroes a special flag will be raised in front of the North Carolina State Capitol and will fly until July 15.  Click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Updates Guidance on Who Should Be Tested –  On June 9, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) released  updated guidance for doctors and clinicians on who should be tested for COVID-19.  North Carolina is focused on rapidly increasing testing of people who may not currently have symptoms, but may have been exposed to COVID-19, especially people from historically marginalized populations who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.  To support testing in populations being hit hardest by COVID-19, NCDHHS also has a new resource available, COVID-19 Community Testing in Historically Marginalized Populations: Best Practices.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

DHHS Shares Health Guidance to Re-Open Public Schools: Guidance formed through collaborative process with DHHS and School Leaders – On June 8, 2020, new health guidelines were released to represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday.  Please click here to read the full press release.

North Carolina Designates Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services Workers as Emergency First Responders – On June 8, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that child protective services and adult protective services workers are designated as first responders.  This classification will help these critical workers access Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed while working in situations that require face-to-face contact with adults, children and families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

North Carolina Reports Highest COVID-19 Numbers – on June 6, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported the state’s highest one day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,370 cases reported.  Other metrics that the state is watching also increased.  The percent of tests that were positive climbed to 10 percent. This metric is based only on labs that report electronically to the state. In addition, hospitalizations have exceeded 700 for three of the past five days.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Reports First COVID-19 Pediatric Death in North Carolina – On June 5, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the first COVID-19-associated pediatric death in North Carolina.  A child in the central part of the state died June 1 from complications associated with COVID-19 infection.  To protect the family’s privacy, no further information regarding this child will be released.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Signs Two Bills, Vetoes One – On 6/5/20, Governor Roy Cooper signed two bills into law and vetoed another bill.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Address Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color – On June 4, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 143 to addresses the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Order directs state agencies and offices to provide targeted measures to help communities of color that have been affected by the pandemic.   To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Launches Testing and Contact Tracing Resources to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina – On June 4, 2020,  the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) launched new initiatives to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing across the state and help North Carolinians protect their families and neighbors.  Testing and tracing are core public health measures and key components of North Carolina’s strategy to responsibly ease restrictions, while continuing to slow the spread of the virus.  Click here to read the full press release.

JCHD Press Release #14:  Jones County Health Department Partners with StarMed Healthcare to Host a COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Event – On June 1, 2020, Jones County Health Department announced that it will be partnering with StarMed Healthcare to host a COVID-19 drive-thru testing event this Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jones County Civic Center, which is located at 832 Hwy 58 South, Trenton, NC.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Issues Request for Qualifications to Expand Testing and Contact Tracing for COVID-19 – On June 1, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it is seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19.  The Request for Qualifications  (RFQ) was issued on May 29th for diagnostic and antibody testing including specimen collection and laboratory processing, reserving potential laboratory capacity and contact tracing.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

North Carolina to Observe Day of Mourning to Honor People who Passed from COVID-19 –  On May 31, 2020,  Governor Roy Cooper encouraged all North Carolinians to honor June 1, 2020 as a Day of Mourning to grieve the 100,000 people in America, including almost 1,000 in North Carolina, who have lost their lives to COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Extends Moratorium on Utility Cut Offs and Implements Evictions Moratorium – On May 30, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order #142 to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions.  The Order goes into effect with the Governor’s signature.  “North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.” Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Urges Congress to Extend P-EBT – On May 29, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it is requesting Congressional support to extend the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to provide food for children beyond the traditional school calendar year.  Extending P-EBT benefits through the summer months would help provide the families of nearly half of North Carolina school children about $250 in additional support per child to buy groceries.  To read the full press release, please click here.

North Carolina Receives Federal COVID-19 Employment and Training Grant:  $6 million grant will help Department of Commerce set up job trainings and temporary employment opportunities –  On May 29, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper has announced that North Carolina has received a $6 million federal grant to support jobs and workforce training to help address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Getting more North Carolinians back to work in a safe way is a critical part of rebuilding our economy,” Governor Cooper said.  “This grant will help workers and families that have been struggling financially due to COVID-19 get back on their feet.”   Please click here to read the entire press release.

CVS Health Opens 55 New Drive-Thru Test Sites in North Carolina
as Part of Nationwide COVID-19 Response – On May 28, 2020 CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) announced it will open 55 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations across North Carolina.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Launches Campaign to Reach Historically Marginalized Populations about COVID-19 – On May 27, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it is using radio and video messages to reach historically marginalized populations to share important messages about reducing risks for COVID-19.  The messages are part of the Department’s focus during the COVID-19 response to address the underlying causes of long-standing health disparities impacting communities of color across North Carolina.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Announces COVID-19 Funds Disbursed to Counties for Public Health and Essential Services: NC Pandemic Recovery Office Disburses Funds, Adds Key Leadership to Coordinate State Response to the Virus – On May 26, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced that $85.4 million in federal funds provided for COVID-19 relief to counties will be disbursed this week.  Three large counties, Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake, have already received funds directly from the federal government, and 59 other counties that have completed certification will receive funds this week from the state-administered Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that was passed by Congress.  Counties are encouraged to support municipalities with the funding as needed.  Please click here to read the full press release.

NCDHHS Reports Highest One-Day Increase of COVID-19 Positive Tests – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is reporting the state’s highest one-day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,107 cases reported.   To read the entire press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Provides One-Time Payment to Families with Children in Work First Cash Assistance Program – On May 22, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) began distributing a one-time supplemental payment to families enrolled in the Work First Cash Assistance program with one or more children.  These payments are intended to help vulnerable families during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.   Please click here for the full press release.

Governor Cooper Highlights Innovative Safety Training Program for Restaurants, Other Businesses: Count on Me NC provides free online training to protect customers and employees in Phase 2 and beyond – On May 22, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services were joined by North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) President and CEO Lynn Minges to highlight Count on Me NC, a free online training program to help restaurants, hotels and other businesses learn the best ways to protect customers and employees from COVID-19.   To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Announces First Reported Case of MIS-C in North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting its first case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.  While children generally experience mild symptoms with COVID-19, recently a possible link has been found between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease in some children and teenagers who have current or recent infections.  The first reports of this syndrome came from the United Kingdom in late April.  Cases in the United States were first reported in New York City in early May.   Please click here to read the entire press release.

Trillium increases provider reimbursement payments by 20% – On May 20, 2020, Trillium Health Resources announced it will implement additional increases in payments to providers who are serving members during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As many providers are considered essential, frontline workers, and are indispensable in our communities, these increased payments will help them weather the stay-at-home orders and gradual economic reopening in North Carolina.  To read the full press release, click here.

Key Indicators Remain Stable, North Carolina Moves to Safer At Home Phase 2:  Phase 2, Safer At Home, begins Friday, May 22 at 5 pm –  On May 20, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced that North Carolina will move into Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions on Friday, May 22 at 5 pm.  Read Executive Order No. 141.  After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s overall key indicators remain stable but the continued increases in daily case counts signal a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned.   Please click here to read the full press release.

Interim Guidance for Restaurants (May 22, 2020) – Governor Cooper has implemented a three-phased approach to slowly lift restrictions while combatting  COVID-19, protecting North Carolinians and working together to recover the economy.  When North Carolina enters Phase 2, businesses and organizations should follow these guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

NCDHHS Launches Interactive COVID-19 Dashboard – On May 20, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services unveiled an updated COVID-19 Dashboard.  The interactive dashboard provides an overview on the metrics and capacities that the state is following to inform decisions to responsibly ease measures that slow the spread of the virus.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Expands Measures to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities  – On May 18, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities.  All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.   Please click here to read the complete press release.

Governor’s Office Response to Court Ruling – On May 16, 2020 Ford Porter, Governor Roy Cooper’s spokesperson, responded to a court ruling today on religious services during COVID-19:   “We don’t want indoor meetings to become hotspots for the virus and our health experts continue to warn that large groups sitting together inside for long periods of time are much more likely to cause the spread of COVID-19. While our office disagrees with the decision, we will not appeal, but instead urge houses of worship and their leaders to voluntarily follow public health guidance to keep their members safe.”

NCDHHS Updates Guidance on Who Should be Tested for COVID-19 – On May 15, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued updated guidance  on who should be tested for COVID-19.  The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.  To read the full press release and access the guidance document for testing, please click here.

UNC School of Law Covid-19 Response Summer Project – Statement of Purpose and Client Eligibility – On May 13, 2020 the UNC School of Law announced a new summer project with nonprofit organizations that might need the services.  The purpose of the Covid-19 Summer Project is to 1) serve the legal needs of North Carolina charitable nonprofit organizations, including churches and other religious organizations, as they adjust to the Covid-19 pandemic and 2) provide rich practical educational experiences for a cohort of UNC Law students.  Please click here to read the entire announcement.

North Carolina’s Key COVID-19 Indicators Remain Stable:  Phase 1 remains in effect, more time needed to watch key indicators – On May 14, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen 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.   To read the entire press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Reports Data on COVID-19 Patients Presumed to be Recovered – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) estimates that as of May 11, 2020, 9,115 North Carolinians with COVID-19 are likely to have recovered from their symptoms. This data along with information about how it is calculated is posted on the COVID-19 Dashboard and will be updated weekly.  Please click here to read the full press release.

More than 800,000 Children Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic to Receive Additional Help Buying Food – Beginning May 13, 2020 families impacted by school closings due to COVID-19 are beginning to receive additional food benefits as part of the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program announced by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

Governor Signs Executive Order to Provide Regulatory Flexibility for Health Care System During Response to COVID-19 – On May 13, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper Issued Executive Order No. 139, which will provide additional regulatory flexibility to help ensure capacity in the state’s health care system and improve its ability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “It’s critical that our health care professionals are able to remain on the job during this crisis and this Order provides the flexibility to waive certain regulations impacting our health care system during the response to COVID-19,” said Governor Cooper.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

North Carolina Working with Local Manufacturers to Make Critical Supplies:  Medical gowns instead of graphics; face shields instead of signage – North Carolina is working with local manufacturers to shift their production to make critical medical supplies.  In March, Governor Roy Cooper established the state’s Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing (TFERM) to increase the amount of protective gear made here at home.  “North Carolina has a long history as a leader in manufacturing and innovation, and I’m proud that our homegrown companies are leading the way in making critical supplies for our frontline workers,” said Governor Cooper.   Click here to read the full press release.

JCHD Press Release #13:  Health Department Reports Third COVID-19 Death in Jones County – Jones County Health Department is reporting a third Jones County resident who has died from complications associated with COVID-19.  The resident was in their 60’s, hospitalized and considered high risk for the virus due to age and underlying medical conditions.  Please click here to read the full press release.

Wear, Wait, Wash to Continue Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 – Wear.  Wait. Wash.  As North Carolina moves to ease some COVID-19 restrictions at the end of this week, the NC Department of Health and Human Services is asking people to remember these three things to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.  For more information about the Wear – Wait – Wash campaign, please click here .

New Portal Opens to File Claims for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment of Uninsured Patients – Health care providers and hospitals can use a new portal to request reimbursement for claims associated with COVID-19 testing and treatment of uninsured patients retroactive to Feb. 4, 2020.  The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal was launched by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support health care providers in delivering COVID-19 diagnostic testing and treatment at no cost to patients. It can be accessed at COVIDUninsuredClaim.linkhealth.com.  To read the entire press release, please click here .

School Buses to Serve as Wi-Fi Hot Spots for Remote Learning: Donations from AT&T, Duke Energy Foundation, Google to help equip more than 280 school buses with Wi-Fi – Starting this week, additional school buses will bring internet access to communities without it to help more North Carolina students connect to school online.  Governor Roy Cooper announced the plan to equip more school buses with hotspots following the announcement that K-12 public schools would continue remote learning through the end of this school year.  To read the full press release, click here.

Health Care Workers Being Matched to Facilities Seeking Staff – Due to COVID-19, many health care facilities in North Carolina, particularly long-term care facilities, are seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles.  There is an urgent need for Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants, among other roles to supplement current workers and in some cases fill in for workers affected by COVID-19.  Please click here to read the entire press release.

Food and Nutrition Services Participants Can Now Use Benefits At Authorized Online EBT Retailers – Beginning May 6th, North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) participants will be able to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers.  North Carolina is the 10th state to implement this flexibility, which will remain permanently in place beyond the COVID-19 emergency.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Identifies Percent of North Carolinians at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19 – More than half (51.1%) of North Carolina adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 because they are 65 or older, have at least one underlying health condition or both, according to data analyzed by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.  To read the rest of the press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Announces Modified Stay At Home Order and Transition to Phase 1 of Easing Restrictions: New order takes effect Friday, May 8 at 5 pm; Personal care businesses, entertainment venues, gyms to remain closed – Governor Roy Cooper today signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday, May 8 at 5 pm.  Certain businesses remain closed as the state continues battling COVID-19.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

Federal Economic Impact Payments May Require Paperwork for Some North Carolinians:  Governor Cooper Urges Non-Tax Filers with Dependents to Complete Federal Form by May 5th – The federal government is sending out a $1,200 Federal Economic Impact Payments (otherwise known as a federal stimulus payment) for a qualifying adult.  There is also an additional $500 stimulus payment available for each qualifying child under the age of 17.  While people who receive Social Security (SSI) will receive the full $1,200 stimulus payment automatically, those who didn’t file federal tax returns in 2018 or 2019 will need to use the IRS online tool to register to receive an additional $500 stimulus payment for each qualifying child.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCCARE360 Steps Up COVID-19 Response, Onboards 19 More NC Counties and a Major Health System – On May 4, 2020 NCCARE360, the statewide coordinated care network connecting individuals to local services and resources, expedited its expansion efforts in response to the COVID-19 health crisis, launching the network in 19 additional North Carolina counties while also extending its reach into eastern North Carolina with Vidant Health as the most recent health system to join the network.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Signs COVID-19 Relief Bills Into Law – On May 4, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper signed the following COVID-19 relief bills into law:

• Senate Bill 704
• House Bill 1043

“I am signing into law two critical relief bills that will provide assistance to families, schools, hospitals and small businesses as our state battles COVID-19,” said Governor Cooper. “There is more work ahead of us, and I hope the spirit of consensus behind these bills will continue.”  To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #12:  Updated Information Related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Jones County Health Department wants to make sure residents are receiving correct information about the Coronavirus, which is also referred to as COVID-19.  During these times, it is important that residents receive updates but also accurate information to help debunk rumors throughout the community. The following are updates regarding COVID-19 and preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Announces Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative – On April 27, 2020 the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced the Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to help stop the spread of COVID-19.   To read the full press release, please click here .

Governor Cooper, State Education Leaders: Remote Learning To Continue Through End of 2019-2020 School Year; Cooper also proposes $1.4 billion COVID-19 relief package using federal funds – On April 24, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina K-12 public schools will continue remote learning through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.  Cooper was joined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and the Chair of the State Board of Education Eric Davis for the announcement.   To read the entire press release, please click here.

Governor Extends Stay at Home Order Through May 8, Plans Three Phase Lifting of Restrictions Based on Virus Trends – On April 23, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 135  extending North Carolina’s Stay At Home order through May 8.  The orders extending closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close-contact businesses are also extended through May 8.  To read the full press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #11:  Health Department Reports Second COVID-19 Death in Jones County – On April 21, 2020 Jones County Health Department reported the second COVID-19 associated death in Jones County.  The individual died on April 19^th from complications associated with the virus.  The individual was in their 90’s with underlying medical conditions and had been hospitalized.   To protect the family’s privacy, no identifying information about the individual will be released.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NCDHHS to Provide Additional Food Benefits for More than 800,000 Children Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic – On April 20, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, to help families purchase food for children impacted by school closings due to COVID-19.  NCDHHS is working to operationalize the program and families will begin to receive this benefit in coming weeks.  To read the full press release, please click here.  For additional information on the P-EBT program, please click here.

NCDHHS, Universities, Health Systems Partner to Study of COVID-19 Cases with Mild or No Symptoms – On April 17, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is working with academic partners across the state to understand how widespread cases of COVID-19 with mild or no symptoms are in the state and to monitor prevalence of the disease over time.  To read the full press release, please click  here .

Governor Cooper Shares Path Forward for North Carolina:  Testing, Tracing and Trends will help determine when to loosen restrictions – On April 15, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper charted a path forward for eventually easing certain COVID-19 restrictions while still protecting North Carolinians from a dangerous second wave of the virus.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #10:  Health Department Reports First COVID-19 Death in Jones County – On April 10, 2020 Jones County Health Department reported the first COVID-19 associated death in Jones County.  The individual died on April 9^th from complications associated with the virus.  The individual was in their 70’s with underlying medical conditions and had been hospitalized.  To protect the family’s privacy, no identifying information about the individual will be released.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Signs Order to Tighten Social Distancing Measures, Strengthen Long-Term Care Rules and Streamline Unemployment Benefits Process:  Executive Order No. 131 Sets Policies for Retail Stores, Enforces Mandatory Rules at Nursing Homes and Expedites Issuing Unemployment Benefits – On April 9, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper took action to the address the spread of COVID-19 by issuing stronger social distancing requirements and speeding up the process to get benefits to people out of work through Executive Executive Order #131   .To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #9:  One Additional Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Jones County – One additional case of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed positive in Jones County, for a total of three positive cases.  The third individual, who is hospitalized at this time, was tested on Monday, April 6^th.  Confirmation of this individual’s test results were forwarded to the Health Department on Wednesday, April 8^th.  To read the entire press release, please click here. 

Press Reelease #8:  Jones County Identifies First Positive Cases of COVID-19 – The first positive cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Jones County.  Two (2) individuals who were in direct contact with each other were tested for COVID-19 on Sunday, April 5^th.  Confirmation of positive COVID-19 test results were forwarded to Jones County Health Department on Tuesday, April 7^th.  The individuals are hospitalized at this time.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #7:  Important Updates in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic – Jones County Health Department (JCHD) continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and is closely working with local, state and federal partners to provide the most current guidance and information.  This release provides some important updates regarding childcare assistance and food access, including meals for children out of school.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #6:  North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Issues Updates and New Guidance in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) continues to update and provide guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Following are new updates and guidance from NCDHHS to identify and reduce the spread of COVID-19.  To read the entire press release, click here.

Governor Cooper Announces Statewide Stay at Home Order Until April 29 Essential businesses may remain open, social distancing mandated – On Friday, March 27, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5:00 PM and reduces the size of gatherings to 10 people.  The Order provides for essential businesses to continue to operate while prioritizing social distancing measures.  The Order has the force of law and will be enforced in all 100 counties statewide.  To read the entire press release, click here .

JCHD Press Release #5:  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Recommends People Who are Sick Should Stay at Home – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new guidance for people who think they might have COVID-19 and mild symptoms (such as fever and cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) to stay home and call their doctor for medical advice.   To read the entire press release, click here.

Governor Cooper Extends School Closure Date to May; Orders Group Limit to 50 People:  Executive Order No. 120 Enforces Social Distancing, Limits Visitors to Long-term Care Facilities Governor Cooper Requests – On Monday, March 23, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper ordered tighter limits on gatherings and extended school closures statewide to May 15, 2020.  The order also closed some businesses that require close social interaction and limited visitors to long-term care centers.  To read the entire press release, click here.

JCHD Press Release #4:  North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Issues New Guidance Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has issued new guidance for Local Health Departments conducting contact tracing and follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for discontinuation of home isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.  There are no positive COVID-19 cases in Jones County at this time.  To read the entire press release, please click here .

Governor’s Working Group Getting Food to Children Who are Out of School; Connecting Families to Child Care: More than 1.2 million meals and 6,500 snacks served – With schools closed to in-person instruction, many children across North Carolina are getting their daily meals from school districts and community partners.  All 115 public school districts – many working with community partners such as food banks and faith-based entities – have approved plans to serve meals to children in North Carolina.  As of March 22nd, more than 1,165 schools had already served 1.2 million meals and 6,500 snacks.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Orders Increased Access to Childcare, DMV Clarifications Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency.  The Order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #3:  Know the Facts about COVID-19 and Stop the Spread of Rumors – The Jones County Health Department wants to make sure that residents are receiving accurate information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).  During these times, it is important to make sure residents are knowing and sharing the facts and help stop the spread of rumors.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NC Medicaid Requests Temporary Plan Changes to Respond COVID-19 – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has sought authority from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid and NC Health Choice policies as part of North Carolina’s response to the COVID-19.  The waivers will provide flexibility to NC Medicaid and providers to address the urgent health care needs of beneficiaries during this public health emergency.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

NC 2 -1-1 to Provide Assistance for COVID -19:  Statewide service can refer people to organizations in their community that are helping with health and human service resources – Governor Roy Cooper announced NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina as a resource for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus.  To read the entire press release, please click  here.

JCHD Press Release #2:  Health Department Response to COVID-19 – The Jones County Health Department continues preparation for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in Jones County.  As of today, there are no confirmed cases in Jones County. The Health Department is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and continues to work with local, state and federal agencies to share information and update protocols in the event of a coronavirus case in Jones County.  To read the entire press release, please click here.

North Carolina to Close Restaurants and Bars for Dine-In Customers, Allow Takeout and Delivery Operations to Continue:  Forthcoming executive order will also expand unemployment insurance benefits for workers affected by COVID-19 – Governor Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force  announce a new Executive Order in response to COVID-19 that closes restaurants and bars for dine-in customers but allows them to continue takeout and delivery orders.  The executive order also includes an expansion of unemployment insurance to help North Carolina workers affected by COVID-19.

Governor Cooper Requests Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration to Aid COVID-19 Response:  Request is first step to provide relief for the state’s business owners – Governor Roy Cooper requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19.   To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Closing K-12 Public Schools and Banning Gatherings of More Than 100 People – Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all K-12 public schools in North Carolina to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to COVID-19.  The Executive Order also bans gatherings of more than 100 people. North Carolina currently has 23 people in 12 counties who have tested positive for COVID-19.  To read the full press release, please click here.

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures – As the number of cases of COVID-19 rise in North Carolina and the United States, and with the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the state is responding with a whole government response. COVID-19 is a new infection that is particularly severe in older persons and those with medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and weakened immune systems.  To read the full press release, please click here.

COVID-19 Mitigation Guidance – On Monday, March 9, 2020, NC DHHS confirmed 5 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wake County, increasing the statewide total to 7.  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is taking proactive steps to protect the health of our community by making recommendations that are meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and reduce the number of people infected.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor Cooper Declares State Of Emergency To Respond To Coronavirus COVID-19 – Governor Roy Cooper took the next step in the state’s coronavirus COVID-19 preparedness plan today and issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.  The declaration activates the Emergency Operations Center to help agencies coordinate from one location and makes it easier to purchase needed medical supplies, protect consumers from price gouging, and increase county health departments’ access to state funds.  To read the full press release, please click here.

JCHD Press Release #1:  Health Department Prepares for Coronavirus (COVID-19) – The Jones County Health Department continues preparation for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in Jones County.  Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory disease caused by a new virus strain first identified in Wuhan, China.  The symptoms are similar to the flu – including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Five More People in North Carolina Test Positive for COVID-19 – Five more people in Wake County have tested presumptively positive today for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).  All traveled to Boston in late February to attend a BioGen conference. Several cases of COVID-19 across the country have been tied to the conference.  These cases are not related to the Wake County individual who tested positive last week.  All are in isolation at their respective homes.  To read the full press release, please click here.

North Carolina Identifies Second Case of COVID-19 – A second North Carolina person, unrelated to the first case, has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab.  The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.  To read the full press release, please click here.

North Carolina Identifies First Case of COVID-19 – A North Carolina person has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab.  The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Governor’s Task Force Encourages North Carolinians to Increase Preparedness Measures for COVID-19 – Governor Roy Cooper’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infections occurring in North Carolina and is encouraging businesses, schools, health care providers, communities and individuals to prepare as well.  Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.  To read the full press release, please click here.

NCDHHS Provides Coronavirus Update for Travelers Returning to North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak and assure the health and well-being of North Carolinians as residents return from China.   To read the full press release, please click here.

Test Results Negative for Possible Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in North Carolina – The NC Division of Public Health is reporting that a patient who was being tested for the novel (new) 2019 coronavirus is not infected with the virus.  To read the full press release, please click here.

Public Health Screenings to Begin at 3 U.S. Airports for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“2019-nCoV”) – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement enhanced health screenings to detect ill travelers traveling to the United States on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, China.  To read the full press release, please click here.