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MINUTES - Draft <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> May 26, 2021 <br /> C. COVID-19 Update <br /> Quintana Stewart, Health Director, gave an update on the COVID-19 status in Orange County <br /> (OC) as well as took questions from the Board. Some highlights are below. <br /> • As of today, <br /> ■ In OC, there are 8,563 confirmed cases and 101 deaths in related to COVID. The <br /> percent positive is 0.6%. The state is at 3.8%. <br /> ■ Over the last 7 days, there have been 14 new cases, averaging 2 new cases each <br /> day. <br /> ■ For the first time, there are no outbreaks at any of the residential facilities in OC. <br /> Throughout this pandemic, there have been 25 outbreaks in 13 facilities. There were <br /> 390 positive resident cases and 242 staff cases that resulted in 69 deaths. That <br /> accounts for 2/3 of all deaths in OC. <br /> • Vaccinations— <br /> ■ In OC, 50.6% have received their first dose and 46.3% are fully vaccinated. <br /> ■ County demographic data that includes all OC providers. <br /> o 0.3% American Indian/Alaskan (0.7% of OC pop.), 8.4% Asian (8.5% of OC <br /> pop.), 9.1% Black/African-American (12.4% of OC pop.), 72.9% White (78% of <br /> OC pop.), 8% Hispanic (8.6% of OC pop.), 6.7% Other Category, 2.5% Missing <br /> Data <br /> • The state has changed the layout of the COVID dashboard on their NC DHHS site. It <br /> provides a general overview of data and now requires a simple click to get information <br /> that is more detailed. There is also a new link for wastewater monitoring. OWASA <br /> began sending weekly wastewater samples to NC researchers to support wastewater <br /> surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 in our wastewater in the county. Phase one of this <br /> project's goal was to perfect the analytical methods and contribute valuable information <br /> to the state about the presence of COVID 19 in our wastewater. Phase two began in <br /> January. OWASA provided wastewater samples to the NC wastewater monitoring <br /> network. Their last report showed that the level of SARS-CoV-2 in the water had <br /> plateaued. This information is on the NC DHHS site. <br /> • Both, Moderna and Pfizer, have applied for full authorization of their vaccines. Moderna <br /> plans to submit for their Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in early June for 12-15 <br /> year olds. <br /> • Currently, the state's five color (red, orange, yellow, light yellow and green) county alert <br /> system has OC in the yellow tier, which means that there is significant community <br /> spread. <br /> • COVID testing is still available at both OCHD, SHSC and Whitted, locations. <br /> D. Media Items <br /> Kristin Prelipp, Communications Manager, highlighted 4 articles that were included in the <br /> Board's packet. There was an article from WRAL about working with the Rodger Road <br /> Community Center (aka RENA). There will be a pop up clinic at RENA this Saturday from 9am <br /> to 12 noon. The Herald Sun had an article that mentioned OC as being at the top of this list of <br /> NC counties with at least partially vaccinated persons based on population percentages. Lastly, <br /> there were 2 Chapelboro articles that spoke about the transition to walk-in clinics at the OCHD <br /> and that persons 12 and up are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda &Abstracts\2021 Agenda &Abstracts/ <br /> May Page 5 <br />