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COVID Today-May 12 Pandemic politics-North Carolina Health News <br /> Autumn Care of Cornelius, Mecklenburg County; four at Pruitt Health, Orange County; three at Five <br /> Oaks Manor, Cabarrus County; three at Springbrook Nursing and Rehab, Johnston County; and <br /> three at Rich Square Nursing and Rehabilitation, Northampton County. <br /> Licensing more -than <br /> 7,00 n <br /> In more typical times, we'd likely see headline news and detailed accounts about the presence of a <br /> new, deadly virus in four North Carolina nursing homes, let alone more than 30 deaths of older and <br /> vulnerable people in these centers in less than a week. Tuesday's release brings to 297 the total of <br /> COVID-19 deaths in state nursing homes during the pandemic, with another 46 noted as dying in <br /> adult care homes or assisted living facilities. <br /> The 343 deaths in long-term care represent nearly 60 percent of North Carolina's total death count <br /> of 577 during the pandemic. <br /> — Thomas Goldsmith <br /> Tend to your mental health, too <br /> Given that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department <br /> of Health and Human Services, encouraged North Carolinians to take care of their minds as well as <br /> their bodies during the pandemic. <br /> "We've all done a greatjob protecting our families and neighbors and slowing the spread of COVID- <br /> 19," Cohen said. "But in taking those important steps, we've had to change the way we live <br /> significantly in ways that were just hard to imagine even just a few months ago. We've had to stay <br /> physically apart from one another, stop many of the activities that may have brought usjoy. Some <br /> of us are newly out of work and others of us have lost family members or friends to this virus." <br /> The pandemic itself, Cohen acknowledged, can prompt fear, depression and anxiety. <br /> "One way to navigate this challenging time is to find new — or in some cases — old ways to connect <br /> with other people," Cohen recommended. "Call or use video chats to connect with your friends and <br /> https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2020/05/12/covid-today-may-12/[5/13/20, 1:08:47 PM] <br />