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MINUTES - Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 23, 2020 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2020 Agenda & Abstracts/ September Page 5 looking for other ways to go out into the community and offer free flu shots. We’ll be advertising this information soon. This is an eligible expense for using some of the CARES money. • As of today, o There are 2,603 confirmed cases and 55 deaths in Orange County. o We are actively monitoring 123 cases in Orange County. o We continue to see an increase in cases in the 18-24 year old age group. o There are 7 outbreaks with 4 occurring in nursing homes, 1 in residential facility and 2 in correctional facilities. In order for them to come off of outbreak status, they must go 28 consecutive days with no new cases. • There’s been a slight decrease in COVID-like illness ED visits over the past 2 weeks. • Percent positive tests has decreased to 3.2% with the state decreasing to 5.4%. The ideal percentage is 5% or less. • Approximately 47,228 people, roughly 32% of OC population, have been tested in Orange County out of which 1,023 were tested at mass county events held in collaboration with StarMed. • A testing event was held last week in northern OC. Although only 61 people were tested, we learned some valuable information. We have to build some more trust with the African-American community. We also need to provide more education around the actual test as it was rumored that the test hurt. Once church members were tested, they left and spread the word that it was quite the opposite. More people started to show up towards the end of the testing event. The next testing event will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on this Saturday from 12-4pm. • The Communications Team released a Spanish video to highlight National Hispanic Month targeted at our Hispanic communities with tips on how to celebrate safely with their families. They’re also working on Halloween guidance to push out to the community that will focus on risk reduction activities such as noncontact trick-o-treating. • The CDC reversed their stance on not testing asymptomatic contacts of positive cases. We have always encouraged testing of asymptomatic contacts. The CDC also addressed their statement regarding airborne transmission. They stated it was uploaded to their website prematurely before the formal review of this information was concluded. • Govenor Cooper stated that if COVID numbers continue to stabilize and trend down, he’s looking to progress in the stages. Part of that progression will be allowing 7% capacity in large outdoor arenas and stadiums. That means that Kenan Stadium will be able to accommodate 3500 spectators for some of the football games. We’ll work with UNC on their plan for Kenan Stadium. • Meetings continue with UNC. UNC is working on their spring reopening plans and have added an advisory committee. They are receiving input from their faculty, local business and community groups. They’re looking to better define who is able to come back on campus and determine which programs are difficult to do online such as performing arts and music. They’re also looking to keep the residence halls at a student capacity of 1 per room, 2 per suite. UNC is also working on plans regarding COVID testing including mandatory testing before coming back on campus and random surveillance testing while they’re back on campus. • The OCHD also continues to work with both K-12 school districts in Orange County as they work on their re-opening plans. We support K-5 students return to class for face-to- face instruction with the rationale that as they’re not seeing a high number of cases with the K-5 population across the state. Half of the school districts in the state have opened