 Steady numbers allow for large outdoor venues to open at 7% with safety precautions
Some North Carolina small businesses that have experienced extraordinary disruption to their operations due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic may benefit from a $40 million relief program to help offset fixed costs like rent, mortgage interests and utility bills, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – powering our local communities and giving back in so many ways. They deserve our support, and this new initiative can help them weather this tough time,” said Governor Cooper. The N.C. Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief (MURR), administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, can provide up to $20,000 in relief funds per qualifying business location. Business applicants from certain industry sectors that have not been able to operate during the COVID period may apply for up to two of their business locations. Applicants can apply for up to four months of mortgage interest or rent expenses, and utility expenses. The help offers relief for some of the fixed costs a business cannot easily control on its own. Applications to the program should open next week and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must certify that they were closed during the period April 1 through July 31, 2020; they expect to be able to operate after the COVID crisis has passed; and they have not been reimbursed by any other federal source for the expenses for which they seek reimbursement through this program. Eligible applicants include:
Business leaders can learn about the MURR program by registering for one of the free educational webinars offered by the Department of Commerce over the next two weeks. For the webinar schedule and additional information on the program, visit www.nccommerce.com/murr. Large, Outdoor Venues Governor Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen also announced that effective October 2, large outdoor venues would be permitted to open at 7% capacity with key safety precautions in place. The announcement was made today so these locations could begin putting safety measures in place in order to operate. Large entertainment venues are those that can seat over 10,000. “We will continue analyzing our data and indicators as we determine how to move forward safely in other areas that may be included in the new order on October 2nd. In it, we hope to ease some other restrictions, while still keeping safety protocols like masks, social distancing, and mass gathering limits in place,” said Governor Cooper. ”With more things open and people moving around more, we need everyone to stay vigilant about wearing a mask, waiting six feet apart, and washing their hands often,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Our progress is fragile and will take our continued hard to work to protect it.” State and public health officials will continue watching the key COVID-19 trends over the next week to determine if any further restrictions can be eased when the current Executive Order expires October 2 at 5 pm.  After several weeks of stable COVID-19 trends and continued low virus spread in school settings, Governor Roy Cooper today announced that beginning on October 5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5). Plan A continues to include important safety measures like face coverings for all students, teachers and staff, social distancing, and symptom screening, but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom.
“We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “North Carolinians are doing the hard work to improve our numbers and trends. Many people are wearing masks, keeping social distance and being careful to protect others as well as themselves. We have shown that listening to the science works. And I’m proud of our resolve.” As the Governor announced in July, every district will continue to have flexibility to select Plan A, B or C based on their unique needs. In addition, districts should still provide an option for families to select all remote learning for their students. Read the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit to learn more about the requirements under each plan. Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that North Carolina has seen a sustained leveling or decrease of key metrics. “Our trends show that we are on the right track. It’s up to all of us to protect our progress. Our individual actions like those 3 Ws will help keep our school doors open.,” said Secretary Cohen. Dr. Cohen also explained that as schools have opened, the current science shows that younger children are less likely to become infected, have symptoms, experience severe disease or spread the virus. “It’s great news today that we are a step closer to providing the option of in-person learning to families who want their children to return to school,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson. “While the Governor, the State Board of Education, and I have our differences, I join with them today to encourage local school board members to take advantage of this change and open all schools safely. I thank the many parents and teachers across North Carolina who have been vocal advocates on this important issue.” “For the past 6 months, superintendents, principals, teachers and local BOE have worked diligently to care for the safety of our students and staff while educating our children. While we are anxious to return all students, we know that teachers, principals, and students need a gradual transition over the next 3 months. I ask our parents to remain patient, knowing that we are moving as quickly as is safely possible. And I ask our teachers to continue to assist our students by supporting this deliberate, thoughtful transition," said Eric Davis, Chairman of the State Board of Education. Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
Laboratory Testing
Tracing Capability
Personal Protective Equipment
North Carolina education leaders gave statements in support of Governor Cooper’s announcement. Mark Johnson, Superintendent of NC Department of Public Instruction: “It’s great news today that we are a step closer to providing the option of in-person learning to families who want their children to return to school. While the Governor, the State Board of Education, and I have our differences, I join with them today to encourage local school board members to take advantage of this change and open all schools safely. I thank the many parents and teachers across North Carolina who have been vocal advocates on this important issue.” Eric Davis, Chair of NC State Board of Education: “For the past 6 months, superintendents, principals, teachers and local BOE have worked diligently to care for the safety of our students and staff while educating our children. While we are anxious to return all students, we know that teachers, principals, and students need a gradual transition over the next 3 months. I ask our parents to remain patient, knowing that we are moving as quickly as is safely possible. And I ask our teachers to continue to assist our students by supporting this deliberate, thoughtful transition."  Photo Caption: (left to right): Blake Waller, Abbott representative; Dr. Harish Manyam, Chief of Cardiology at Erlanger Health System; Darren Bielejeski, Abbott Representative The Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute announces Dr. Harish Manyam has successfully performed the first procedure in the country to implant a unique dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The same day, he was also the first in the country to implant a single chamber ICD. This latest advancement features compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Bluetooth communication for a better connection between patients and their doctors.
The Erlanger cardiology team is now offering these ICDs and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices for patients with abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. The high voltage devices offer a smartphone app and Bluetooth communication for improved remote monitoring and streamlined communications to help doctors tailor therapy to a patient's unique clinical needs. “This new innovative device, especially in the time of a pandemic, allows patients to have health care remotely and without being in the hospital,” Dr. Manyam, Chief of Cardiology at Erlanger Health System explained. “It continues to improve access to patients, the ability to live their life without worrying about a home monitor as the device can transmit via their phone. We continue to bring the newest and most innovative techniques to the region and are excited about the opportunity to improve health care in this region.” The new system pairs with an intuitive smartphone application designed to help streamline communication between doctors and their patients. The app provides access to data, device performance, and transmission history, which helps patients take an active role in their healthcare. Through the app, physicians can continuously monitor their patients remotely, allowing for identification of asymptomatic episodes as well as patient-triggered transmissions, which can lead to earlier intervention. The CDC estimates that as many as 6.1 million people in the United States battle cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms. ICDs are often recommended to help reduce the risks of life-threatening arrhythmias. For patients with heart failure or in situations when the heart's chambers beat out of sync, CRT-Ds can be used to restore the heart's natural pattern of beating. For more information about treatments offered at Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute or to make an appointment, visit Erlanger.org/heart.  Health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are urging North Carolina residents to protect themselves, their families and those around them by getting vaccinated against Influenza as the state enters flu season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year, with COVID-19 still spreading in our communities, it’s critically important to get your flu vaccine,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Flu can be a serious, sometimes deadly, disease. It is important to get vaccinated against the flu to keep you and your family healthy.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Vaccination against the flu can make illness milder and reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, making it especially important for those at higher risk of complications, such as people over 65, children younger than 5, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or obesity. Some of those same groups are also at high risk of complications from COVID-19. “This flu season, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. We will have both the flu and COVID-19 widely circulating this fall and winter, and we are learning that people can get both infections at the same time,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson. “We want people to protect themselves from the flu and also avoid overwhelming our hospitals so people can get care if they need it.” Flu vaccinations are available at hospitals, pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. Visit vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine to find locations. In North Carolina, flu infections are most common from late fall to early spring with activity usually peaking in January or February. The following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of flu and other viruses like COVID-19:
More information about flu is available online through the Division of Public Health and from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/flu. For information about COVID-19 in North Carolina, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov. Weekly updates on flu surveillance data are posted online at flu.ncdhhs.gov. The flu report will be posted every Thursday beginning Oct. 8 throughout the flu season with updated data from around the state on flu activity and other viral respiratory illnesses. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded a $35 million State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These funds will be used to continue the state’s efforts to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic by providing treatment and supporting North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan 2.0. Previously, NCDHHS has received a total of $58 million in SOR grants, which to date, has provided more than 14,000 individuals with treatment and recovery services.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for people who struggle with substance use disorders, and this funding will help us reduce overdoses in our state," Governor Roy Cooper said. "But we know that the best way to ensure people without coverage can get the treatment they need is expanding Medicaid to 600,000 North Carolinians." This most recent award is part of the SOR grant program totaling $1.5 billion (per year, over two years) in awards to states and tribes across the country to combat the opioid crisis. In North Carolina, the $35,149,381 awarded for the 2020 Federal Fiscal Year will provide treatment services to at least 3,300 additional individuals in the first year and go toward funding continuing care for those who have been receiving services under existing opioid response grants. Funding will be allocated, mostly through the LME/MCOs, to provide:
These funds are especially vital as the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult for some individuals to access treatment for substance use disorder, prompting a spike in opioid overdoses. There has been a 21% increase in emergency department visits relating to opioid overdoses from the prior year, even as overall emergency department visits have declined. The North Carolina General Assembly recently allocated $400,000 of CARES Act funds to purchase naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, which is currently being distributed to Opioid Treatments Programs (OTPs) across the state. Additionally, a portion of a recent $2 million emergency grant award from SAMHSA won by NCDHHS is supporting access to OTPs in areas of the state particularly hard hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan was released in June 2017 with community partners to combat the opioid crisis. The plan was updated in 2019 with the release of the Opioid Action Plan 2.0, which aims to reduce opioid overdoses in North Carolina and is built on three pillars: prevention, reducing harm and connecting to care. Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the September 8, 2020 arrest of 29-year-old Charles Anthony Payne, and the September 10, 2020 arrest of 62-year-old Carol Lynn Bruce and 33-year-old Patricia Ann Waldroup for charges involving the abduction of a minor child.
On September 7, 2020 after 6 pm a report was made to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s that a minor child was missing and possibly had run away. As the investigation continued, information was made known that Payne and Waldroup were the last known persons to have seen the child in the early hours of September 7, 2020. Payne was arrested at this point and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center and charged with Felonious Restraint and placed under a $20,000 secure bond. On September 8, 2020 during the early morning hours deputies and detectives along with family members began searching the area where the child was reported to have been dropped off by Payne and Waldroup. Within a few hours of the beginning of the search the child was located and taken for medical evaluation. During the investigation, additional information was made known that Bruce had made a threat to one of the witness in the investigation in an attempt to prevent the witness from testifying. On September 10, 2020 Bruce (mother to Waldroup and Payne) was arrested for Intimidation of a Witness and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center and placed under a $20,000 secure bond. Additionally, Waldroup was also arrested on September 10, 2020 for Felonious Restraint and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where she was confined under a $20,000 secure bond. Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “This investigation is far from over. We are continuing to pursue several leads and anticipate additional charges. We do want to thank Hanging Dog Fire Department, Cherokee County EMS and Mapping, Jackson County NC Sheriff’s Office, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County and Bradley County TN Sheriff’s Offices, and North Carolina Wildlife, who responded with tracking animals and other tools to help us bring the child back to safety. Due to the age of the victim we will not be making any further press releases.” To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.  Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced nearly $40 million in funding for NC Student Connect, a new partnership created to address internet connectivity gaps that are a barrier to remote learning for many North Carolina students. When school resumed in August, superintendents estimated that at least 100,000 students still lacked a reliable internet connection at home.
Many North Carolina students are currently attending school remotely and need reliable internet access to be able to connect with their teachers and access their lessons. Students who are attending school onsite may also need internet access at home to be able to complete assignments. “Long before COVID-19, expanding access to high-speed internet has been a top priority for my administration, and this pandemic has made the need even more urgent,” said Governor Cooper. “NC Student Connect will make critical investments in high speed internet access and remote learning that will help students, health care and businesses in our state.” Today’s NC Student Connect investment includes:
“This announcement illustrates the state’s unwavering commitment in connecting all our students and all of NC,” said DIT Acting Secretary Thomas Parrish. “There’s no greater action than investing in our children, our future world changers. We are grateful to our private partners, and all those who are assisting in this effort; our tomorrow says thank you.” “As a parent with a child that is remote learning at home, I can testify to the urgent need for devices with high speed connectivity,” said DNCR Secretary Susi Hamilton. “As a leader in State government, I can answer the Governor’s call to help school children by lending them devices through our State Library and add to their learning experience through outdoor and cultural programming that this department offers.” “Today’s actions significantly advance Governor Cooper’s commitment to quality, accessible high-speed internet for every North Carolina school district. Our Remote Learning Working Group continues to produce meaningful solutions for our most marginalized students. The time is now for bold, innovative, and collaborative solutions that deliver high-speed internet to every North Carolina home,” said Jeremy Collins, Director of Innovative Connectivity with Hometown Strong. "Google is proud to work with our state, local, and corporate partners to provide innovative connectivity solutions—such as our Rolling Hotspots program in North Carolina—to help students access Wi-Fi. NCBCE's Remote Learning Working Group is thrilled that the state will invest in the NC Student Connect Program and provide professional development for educators as part of a collective effort to make it possible for more students to engage in school work remotely,” said Lilyn Hester, Head of External Affairs - Southeast, Google, who serves as vice chairwoman of NCBCE and Chairwoman of the NCBCE Remote Learning Working Group. Initial private sector investments in remote learning and NC Student Connect include, AT&T, Duke Energy Foundation, Fidelity Investments, Google, Smithfield Foundation, Verizon Foundation, and Wells Fargo Foundation.  Grants will fund projects Columbus, Duplin and Graham counties
Five new projects will expand high-speed internet access for residents in three rural counties, Governor Roy Cooper announced today along with the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and its Broadband Infrastructure Office (BIO). The projects are made possible by more than $4 million in supplemental GREAT grant funding through the COVID-19 Recovery Act. The projects are expected to connect 3,074 households and 191 businesses, agricultural operations and community anchor institutions in Columbus, Duplin and Graham counties to high-speed internet. The COVID-19 Recovery Act allocated supplemental funding for eligible projects not initially funded through the GREAT Grant program. “It’s critical that we get more North Carolinians connected to high-speed internet, especially during this pandemic. For residents of these three counties, these projects will help them access work, education and healthcare within and beyond their communities," said Governor Cooper. The news follows Governor Cooper’s announcement earlier this month of more than $12 million in 2019-2020 GREAT grants and COVID-19 Recovery Act funding to expand broadband infrastructure. With the addition of these grants, a total of more than $16 million has been awarded this year to expand access in 11 Tier 1 counties across the state through the GREAT grant program and the supplemental funding. The COVID-19 Recovery Act, recognizing the increased importance of broadband expansion in light of the pandemic, allocated supplemental funding for eligible projects not initially funded through the GREAT Grant program. “As more and more of our day-to-day life, business and services have moved online to adapt to the pandemic, many North Carolinians are faced with the added challenge of not having access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet,” Acting NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Thomas Parrish said. “These grants will help lessen that disparity and bring the necessary infrastructure and connectivity to our communities and to thousands of residents who desperately need it.” Five providers were awarded $4,234,312 for projects in the following three counties: County Provider Grant Amount Columbus Service Telephone Co. $761,788.80 Duplin ATMC $1,230,916.85 Duplin Cloudwyze, Inc. $1,245,140 Duplin Eastern Carolina Broadband $652,020 Graham Sky Wave, Inc. $344,447 Applicants are scored based on three criteria: the number of households, businesses and agricultural operations they propose to serve; the average cost to serve those households; and the speeds offered. Applicants receive higher awards for agreeing to provide higher speed service, defined as a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. All awards are contingent on final executed grant agreements with these broadband provider partners. Since the GREAT grant program launched in 2018, the state has invested nearly $26 million in 26 Tier 1 counties, connecting more than 21,000 households, businesses and agricultural operations to high-speed internet. The state funding has been matched by more than $20 million in private investment. The program will expand to include Tier 2 counties in the upcoming grant cycle. About the Broadband Infrastructure Office NCDIT’s Broadband Infrastructure Office leads the statewide initiatives to expand high-speed internet access, adoption and use for all North Carolinians and serves as a statewide resource for broadband access, first responder communications and state-led classroom connectivity initiatives. In 2019, Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 91 (EO91), which lays out clear directives to expand broadband across the state through a task force comprised of cabinet agencies, which the office facilitates and supports  Erik Brinke The Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation (BRMEMC) names Erik C. Brinke as Interim General Manager. Brinke will succeed Outgoing General Manager Jeremy Nelms, who has accepted a position as CEO of Flint Energies in Warner Robbins, Ga. Nelms’ last day with BRMEMC is Friday, Sept. 25. Brinke will serve in this interim position while the Board develops a plan for naming a permanent replacement.
An 18-year employee of BRMEMC, Brinke was hired by the Co-op to establish its first formal economic development department, and to support broadband deployment across the region. More recently, he has served as Director of Administrative Services and External Relations, managing the Co-op’s fleet, garage, facilities and maintenance, information systems/IT, communications and economic development efforts. BRMEMC Board President Ray Cook said, “I am encouraged that we have been able to call on one of our own to continue the Co-op’s important work while the Board develops a plan for hiring a new General Manager. We are confident that Mr. Brinke’s extensive co-op experience will afford us the time we need to make the best choice for our Co-op’s future leader.” “I feel blessed that the Board has placed its confidence in me for this interim role, and my hope is that I lead the Co-op well in its critically important work, while allowing the Board the time needed to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to our next permanent Manager,” said Interim General Manager Brinke. A graduate of Murphy High School, Brinke holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is an NRECA Certified Key Account Executive (CKAE), and serves his community on numerous Boards and Commissions. Brinke resides in Murphy with his wife, Paige, and their two children, Asher and Anna. About Blue Ridge Mountain EMC Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned electric cooperative headquartered in Young Harris, Georgia, serving nearly 47,000 members in Cherokee and Clay Counties in Western North Carolina, and Towns, Union and Fannin Counties in Northeast Georgia. Organized locally in 1937, BRMEMC has invested well over $280 million in physical infrastructure in its mission to provide reliable electric and broadband services to its members where those services would not otherwise have been available. Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.  To encourage proper etiquette during a pandemic and help others adapt to the new normal on campus, a student-led program at Western Carolina University is using positive reinforcement to remind fellow students of strategies to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
A group of 21 undergraduates known as “Catamounts Care Ambassadors” will reward fellow students who “get caught” doing the right things for helping stop the coronavirus spread. They will distribute Catamounts Care stickers to recognize positive behavior, such as wearing face coverings, exercising proper physical distancing and other campus protocols. The stickers then can be converted into prizes. The ambassadors also will develop a social media effort and other programs designed to keep fellow students informed, including setting an example and positively reinforcing the Catamounts Care culture. The effort is made possible through a $31,000 grant from a partnership with the University of North Carolina Asheville from funding provided by the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to support healthy campuses during the pandemic. Each ambassador will receive a $1,350 educational stipend. “Catamounts Care” is the name given to the university initiative to help members of the campus community stay healthy. “These students stepped up and stepped in to become a part of our campus solution,” said Lane Perry, executive director of WCU’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. “We know that safe peer-to-peer communication and discussion is a highly effective way to disseminate information and encourage positive action.” The wearing of face coverings in public settings, proper hand-washing or use of hand sanitizers, and physical distancing are important steps. Everyone returning to campus was given reusable cloth face coverings, a large container of sanitizing wipes, a refillable bottle of hand sanitizer, a thermometer and a copy of WCU pandemic standards. “Serving as a Catamounts Care Ambassador has allowed me to continue to propel a culture of love, education and respect, rather than hate, on our beautiful campus, with our beautiful people,” said Daniel Tizon, a senior who also serves as director of community engagement for the Student Government Association and assistant chief of training with the WCU Emergency Medical Services. “Through positive reinforcement, our work creates ripples of hope that remind us that all of us are stronger than any one of us. Through taking ‘Catamount Pride’ seriously, together is how we will tackle the virus.” Many of the student ambassadors completed the university’s pandemic preparedness mini course offered earlier this summer. They were among the nearly 60 participants made up of community members, faculty and staff who learned the history of pandemics, policy and its associated implications with COVID-19, health precaution basics, civic and community engagement and how to exemplify positive behavior. The mini course was taught by Kae Livsey, associate professor and director of community relations and scholarship for the School of Nursing; Patrick Baron, assistant professor and director of the Health Sciences Program; Amy Murphy-Nugen, associate professor of social work; and Perry. “The mini course was a great success. Students, staff and faculty all engaged with the program we developed. Everyone, including myself, learned more about how to constructively engage our own community in order to promote health and prevent the avoidable negative consequences of this pandemic on our campus,” said Baron. “We hope the value of this kind of instruction is to raise awareness about the real issues we are confronting and to increase community preparedness by providing concrete, actionable information and models of positive roles and health-promoting behaviors for every community member. Personally, I aimed for every participant to come away with a better understanding of how interconnected our lives really are, for better or worse. We aimed to help inspire and enable a sense of collective responsibility for our mutual wellbeing.” Moving forward, the Catamounts Care Ambassadors program will help to spread additional important information and messages and will be a vital part of the ongoing response to COVID-19, as it also develops new educational opportunities directed toward campus and the broader community in the future. “I was reminded through the delivery and discussion of this course content that we fight fear, not only with a dose of faith, but with an IV of knowledge and research,” Perry said. “The more informed we are as members of our community the more likely positive behaviors and actions will beget more positive behaviors and actions. In turn, knowledge compounds faith and belief.” |
Archives
September 2020
|
RSS Feed