Alamance County Health Department has identified an outbreak at the skilled nursing facility Peak Resources in Graham. Currently, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the facility. Both confirmed cases are among the staff. There have been no cases identified in residents at this time. NC DHHS defines an outbreak as two confirmed cases within a facility.

“We remain dedicated to the well-being and safety of our residents and employees,” said Jeff Cochran, Administrator at Peak Resources Alamance. “Protecting the health of those we care for and the community we service remains our highest priority. We are making every effort to ensure we stop the spread of the Coronavirus within our facility. We are extremely proud of our staff members and their rapid and diligent response in handling a very unique and difficult situation.”

Cochran further stated, “Since late January, we have been closely following the guidelines established by the CDC, CMS, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and the NC Division of Public Health. We will remain in active communication with the local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps,” stated Mr. Cochran.

The Health Department will deploy public health staff to the facility on May 13 to collect specimen for testing for all residents at the facility. Additionally, the health department will deploy public health staff to collect specimen for all facility staff on May 14.

“Peak Resources has been in contact with our staff for several weeks now receiving technical assistance, consulting on guidance, implementing precautions and taking steps to help prevent illness in the facility,” stated Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is unfortunate that the facility has experienced two cases among its staff. We commend Peak Resources for promptly notifying the health department of risks and proactively working with our health department to collect specimen for testing from asymptomatic residents and staff in order to help prevent further spread.”

Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since that time, a total of 183 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 90 have been released from isolation and 85 remain active and in isolation. Included in the remaining active cases, ten are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been eight COVID-19 related deaths.

“We continue to see newly confirmed cases in our general population, as well. As collection and testing access increases in our area, we are likely to identify more cases,” states Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is important to use the precautions like washing your hands, wearing face coverings, and keeping your distance from others in order protect yourself and also those you care about.”

On May 5, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first case of rabies for the year.

On May 2, Burlington Animal Services was notified that a raccoon and a dog were in an altercation on Center Street in Burlington; however, the dog lives on Chandler Court in Burlington. Burlington Animal Services sent the raccoon to the State Laboratory for Public Health for testing and the raccoon was positive for rabies.  The dog was not up-to-date on vaccinations and was euthanized. Two adults were exposed to the raccoon. The health department is assisting both individuals with accessing post-exposure treatment.

If you live in this area and have outside pets, the Health Department encourages you to examine them for any wounds that may have come from contact with this raccoon and notify Animal Control or the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if you have questions or concerns.

It is North Carolina law that cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination should occur when the dog or cat is no more than 4 months of age; the second vaccination is required no more than a year later and then again every three years.

If you are bitten by any animal:

• Wash the wound with soap and running water for ten (10) minutes and seek medical attention immediately.
• Write down the location of the animal and a description of the animal to provide to animal control.  If the animal is someone’s pet, also get the owner’s name and address.  Give this information to animal control or the health department.
• Do not try to catch any wild or stray animal

Last year, Alamance County had seven confirmed animal cases of rabies.

For more information or questions about rabies control and vaccinations requirements, contact the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367.

Alamance County Health Department has identified an outbreak at the skilled nursing facility White Oak Manor. The Alamance County Health Department collected 120 specimen from residents at the facility earlier in the week. Of those collected by the health department, 12 were positive results. In addition, two (2) employees have been confirmed as cases and receiving follow-up in their counties of residence. The Health Department continues to work with White Oak Manor to conduct testing on residents and staff to protect uninfected individuals and ensure current guidance is followed. To protect the privacy of individuals, no further information about the facility will be released.

Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since then, there has been a total of 116 confirmed cases of COVID-19 identified in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 52 have been released from isolation and 62 remain active and in isolation. Included in the remaining active cases, four are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been two COVID-19 related deaths.

“As collection and testing increases in our area, we are likely to identify many more confirmed cases,” states Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is important to use the precautions like washing your hands and keeping your distance from others. Please only make necessary outings because each interaction you have with another person could be an opportunity for the virus to spread.”

On May 1, Alamance County Health Department is partnering with Elon University to conduct a COVID-19 collection event for Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) staff, per current guidance from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, as LTCFs are a high-risk, high-priority group. This event will take place in the Schar Center parking lot at Elon University and is not open to the public. Access to the site will be restricted, and university facilities in the area remain closed. Elon Athletics staff have been advised to work remotely during the operation, but masks and gloves will be available for those staff members who must access offices in the area.

Further questions about the operation should be directed to Arlinda Ellison at the Alamance County Health Department at arlinda.ellison@alamance-nc.com.

Alamance County Health Department received notification of the county’s first death associated with COVID-19. The individual was greater than 65 years old with underlying conditions and receiving care at a hospital. To protect the privacy of the individual and their family, no further information about the individual will be released.

“We are deeply saddened by this news and our hearts are with their precious family who have lost someone they love and cherish. This loss affects our entire community,” said Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is so important that each of us take steps to protect ourselves and others to prevent the spread of this virus, especially to our most vulnerable populations. We urge the community to continue to practice social distancing and the recommended general precautions in order to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our neighbors.”

The Health Department urges individuals to take the following standard precautions to help protect themselves and others from this respiratory illness:
o Follow the Governor’s Stay at Home guidance and Executive Order that limits gatherings
o Practice social distancing by keeping more space between individuals
o Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
o Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
o Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
o Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
o Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
o Have a plan in place to care for yourself or a sick family member due to illness
o People over 65 or who have chronic health conditions or with compromised immune systems are at highest risk of severe illness from the virus, and should avoid contact with anyone that doesn’t live in the household
o If you must leave home for a necessary outing, the CDC recommends wearing a cloth mask or face covering

Media Partners: Please note the Health Department will not issue future press releases regarding COVID-19 related death notifications. COVID-19 related deaths will be added, beginning tomorrow, to the daily updates provided on our website and Facebook page. Many thanks for your attention.

As of April 16, Alamance County has received notification of 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Twenty-seven (27) of those confirmed cases have been released from isolation and 18 cases remain active. Of the remaining active cases, three (3) are receiving care at a hospital.

You continue to be the most important partner we have in reducing the spread of illness. Thank you for your commitment thus far to the Stay at Home order and to the general precautions. Take care of yourselves.

The NC DHHS COVID-19 case count map continues to show an unusually high increase in COVID-19 cases for Alamance County on April 14. This increase is due to several large batches of LabCorp test results from a federal contract with no addresses listed. Because LabCorp is headquartered in Alamance County, when they have positive communicable disease test results with no address listed, the results default to Burlington because of the location of LabCorp and are then reported by default to the Alamance County Health Department.

 LabCorp, NC DHHS, and Alamance County Health Department are all working together to remedy this immediate issue and work toward permanent process changes that will reduce the chances of this happening in the future. We are so sorry for any distress that this may cause our community. 

 Alamance County’s current case count is 41. Twenty-one (21) of these confirmed cases have been released from isolation by the Health Department. Of the remaining 20 active cases, 2 are receiving care in a hospital.

We appreciate the support and commitment you have demonstrated in protecting yourself. Please continue to adhere to the Governor’s Stay at Home order and all other precautions. You are such an important part of stopping the spread of the illness.

On March 21, Alamance County Health Department received notification of their second positive case of COVID-19. The affected individual has been in isolation while tests were pending and will remain in isolation for the duration of illness. The individual is doing well and complying with all control measures set forth by the Health Director. The individual has not traveled outside of North Carolina and has no known contact to a previous case. To protect the individual’s privacy, no further information about them will be released.

The Health Department urges individuals to take the following standard precautions to help protect themselves and others from this respiratory illness:
o Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
o Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
o Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
o Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
o Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
o Have a plan in case you need to miss work or other responsibilities due to personal illness or to care for a sick family member
o People over 65 or who have chronic health conditions or with compromised immune systems are at highest risk of severe illness from the virus, and are advised to avoid large gatherings

The Alamance County Health Department will transition at this time from notification via press release to updating our website and social media with the NC DHHS COVID-19 Case Counts website at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc. Alamance County residents are encouraged to use reputable sources of information to learn more about COVID-19 such as the CDC or NC DHHS. Alamance County residents may also contact the Alamance County COVID-19 Call Center at 336-290-3061 for general questions regarding COVID-19, and visit Alamance County Government social media accounts for updates as well.

Amy Scott Galey, Chair of the Alamance Board of Commissioners, declared a local ‘State of Emergency’ for Alamance County effective Friday, March 20, 2020, at 10am. A state of emergency allows the County to coordinate, provide, and request additional emergency supplies and receive mutual aid from the state and federal government.

“With our first confirmed case of COVID-19, it is appropriate to declare a State of Emergency for Alamance County,” Chair Galey said. “The County will be working closely with all the municipalities, community partners, and first responders to coordinate resources and share important information. County staff has been working very hard to be sure that essential services are uninterrupted in order to protect public heath and
safety. Residents should continue to take precautions to avoid exposure and spread of the virus.”

While there are no County office closures at this time, residents are encouraged limit person-to-person contact and use online resources and services or call in to conduct county business. For updated COVID-19 Alamance County program or event cancellations or changes, please visit www.alamance-nc.com/covid19/.

The County COVID-19 Call Center is also available Monday through Friday from 8am to 7pm. Residents and organizations are encouraged to call 336-290-0361 for general Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions or information regarding the County’s response. For the most current state and national information or recommendations regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website at ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.

On March 20, Alamance County Health Department received notification of their first positive case of COVID-19. The affected individual is currently in isolation at home and is doing well. The individual has no known travel risk and no known contact to a previous case. To protect the individual’s privacy, no further information about them will be released. Alamance County Health Department is identifying close contacts to the affected individual. A close contact is defined as anyone who was within six feet of the individual for 10 minutes or more.

“We have been preparing and planning for cases in Alamance County. Our public health response team has been in contact with the individual and they are complying with all control measures and orders,” said Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is likely we will see other confirmed cases in the community. We urge the community to continue to practice social distancing and general precautions in order to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our neighbors.”

Alamance County Health Department is continuing to collaborate with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), Alamance County Emergency Management, Alamance County leadership, municipal leaders, and other community partners to respond to the situation and prepare for any future potential cases.

The Health Department urges individuals to take the following standard precautions to help protect themselves and others from this respiratory illness:
o Practice social distancing by keeping more space between individuals and avoid large gatherings
o Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
o Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
o Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
o Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
o Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
o Have a plan in case you need to miss work or other responsibilities due to personal illness or to care for a sick family member
o People over 65 or who have chronic health conditions or with compromised immune systems are at highest risk of severe illness from the virus, and are advised to avoid large gatherings

Alamance County residents are encouraged to use reputable sources of information to learn more about COVID-19 such as the CDC or NC DHHS. Alamance County residents may also contact the Alamance County COVID-19 Call Center at 336-290-0361 for general questions regarding COVID-19, and visit Alamance County Government social media accounts for updates as well.