Accessibility Tools

Web Accessibility plugin by DJ-Extensions.com
Skip to main content

Alamance County Health Department Identifies COVID-19 Outbreak

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in County News, Covid-19, General News, Health, Public Safety.

BURLINGTON – A second COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at the long-term care facility Home Place of Burlington. Currently, four (4) cases have been confirmed among three (3) residents and one (1) staff. NC DHHS defines an outbreak as two laboratory-confirmed cases in a period of 28 days within a congregate living or long-term care facility. Regular testing is required through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in order to provide surveillance as protective factor for both staff and residents.

“The health and safety of our residents and team members remains our top priority, and our experienced professionals continue working tirelessly to minimize opportunities for exposure to the virus,” said Bonnie Thompson, Executive Director of Home Place of Burlington. “Our latest round of testing found three positive cases among residents and one positive case among team members. Residents who have tested positive are under quarantine in designated areas within the community and are being closely monitored. The affected team member is self-quarantining away from the community. All of these individuals are receiving appropriate medical care.”

Ms. Thompson continued, “While this is a challenging time for our community, we are pleased to have held our first vaccination clinic on January 12. We are scheduled to hold additional clinics for residents and team members to complete their vaccination series on February 9 and March 9 and expect nearly 100% of the community to be vaccinated following those clinics. We are committed to our ongoing practice of community-wide weekly testing, and will continue to follow all guidelines prescribed by the CDC, state and local health authorities.”

Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since then, a total of 13,566 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 12,004 have been released from isolation and 1364 remain active and in isolation. Included in those active cases, 64 individuals are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been 198 COVID-19 related deaths. COVID-related deaths include only patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, and who died without fully recovering from the disease.

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Alamance and surrounding counties. Currently, the number of active COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high. It is important to take steps to reduce your risks of contracting COVID-19, specifically wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowds, and washing your hands and cleaning commonly used surfaces regularly. These steps are imperative to control the spread of COVID-19. The health of you, your loved ones, and the community are what matters.

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduling at Alamance County Health Department

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health, Public Events.

Alamance County Health Department is currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations to people 75 and older, and those first responders and healthcare workers that have not yet been vaccinated, by appointment only. Beginning Wednesday, January 20, multi-day appointments can be made for Thursday, January 21 through Tuesday, January 26. Callers will be assigned a specific day and time. Interested persons should call 336-290-0650 to make an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine appointment line is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, or until all appointment slots are full.

Expect high call volumes and wait times. Please exercise patience.

Alamance County Health Department Will Continue Vaccination of Adults 75 and Over

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health.

In planning phase in preparation for addition of Adults 65 and Over

BURLINGTON – In light of the current vaccine supply, Alamance County Health Department will continue its current operations of vaccinating adults age 75 and older. Following guidance from NC DHHS, the Health Department will continue in the planning process in preparation for adding individuals age 65 and older to its vaccination rollout. In the coming weeks, as more vaccine becomes available, the Health Department will begin accepting appointments from persons age 65 and older. Until further notice, we will only be accepting appointments for people 75 and older, and those first responders and healthcare workers that have not yet been vaccinated.

Alamance County Health Department will reevaluate this decision on a weekly basis, starting Friday, January 22, and will continue each Friday thereafter as the Health Department’s weekly vaccine allocation is released by NC DHHS.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Line will reopen on January 19 at 08:30am to schedule appointments for January 20 until all appointments are filled. The Health Department fills appointments based on its current vaccine supply. Appointments are only being made for first responders and healthcare workers, and adults 75 and older at this time.

The public will be informed of changes and appointment options through the Health Department website, social media, and the local news media.

First Rabies Case of 2021 Confirmed in Alamance County

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in County News, Environmental Health, General News, Health, Public Safety.

BURLINGTON – On January 11, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s first case of rabies for the year.

On January 7, Alamance County Animal Control was notified of a skunk that bit a dog on Fernway Drive. Alamance County Animal Control sent the skunk to the North Carolina State Laboratory for Public Health for rabies testing and the skunk was positive for rabies. Because the dog was not up-to-date on vaccinations, it was initially quarantined; it has since been euthanized. The Health Department did not identify any human exposure to the skunk.

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 dog and notify Alamance County Animal Control, 336-570-6302, 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 three 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.

Media Advisory- COVID-19 Vaccination Scheduling Update

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health.

Alamance County Health Department is currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations to persons in Phase 1b, Group 1- Adults age 75 and over, by appointment only. Beginning Wednesday, January 13, multi-day appointments can be made for Thursday, January 14 through Tuesday, January 19. Callers will be assigned a specific day and time. Interested persons should call 336-290-0650 to make an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine appointment line is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or until all appointment slots are full.

Expect high call volumes and wait times. Please exercise patience.

Alamance County Health Department Identifies COVID-19 Clusters and Outbreak

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health.

BURLINGTON – Alamance County Health Department has identified a COVID-19 cluster at Positive Attitudes Youth Center (PAYC) in Burlington, and Southern Alamance High School in Graham. Currently, eight (8) cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among six (6) children and two (2) staff at PAYC. At Southern Alamance, six (6) cases have been confirmed among three (3) children and three (3) staff. The cases will be included on the biweekly Child Care and School Settings report for NC DHHS. NC DHHS defines a cluster as minimum of five laboratory-confirmed cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at Brookdale Senior Living-Memory Care in Burlington. Currently, fifteen (15) cases have been confirmed among thirteen (13) residents and two (2) staff. NC DHHS defines an outbreak as two laboratory-confirmed cases in a period of 28 days within a congregate living or long-term care facility. Regular testing is required through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in order to provide surveillance as protective factor for both staff and residents.

“We very much appreciate our close partnership with the Alamance County Health Department and rely on their professional expertise and guidance for the health and safety of our students and staff,” stated Superintendent Bruce Benson. “We have notified staff and families of our students about the cluster announcement per our established protocols and continue to reinforce the extensive health and safety protocols we have in place. The areas of the school buildings where the identified individuals were present have already undergone a systematic cleaning and disinfection ensuring that our operations at the schools can continue.”

Heather Hunter, Communications Manager with Brookdale Senior Living stated, “Brookdale’s top priority is the health and safety of our residents, patients, and associates. We have informed residents, their family members, and associates of Brookdale Burlington Memory Care of this matter. We are diligently monitoring our residents and associates for signs and symptoms, and we continue to work directly with local health officials to help ensure our residents and associates have the appropriate and necessary medical support. We will continue to follow the guidance of the health departments throughout this situation. Additionally, we have been closely following our established policies and procedures for contagious illnesses and are also closely following the guidance and protocols recommended by the local and state health departments and the CDC.”

Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since then, a total of 12,644 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 10,911 have been released from isolation and 1553 remain active and in isolation. Included in those active cases, 79 individuals are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been 180 COVID-19 related deaths. COVID-related deaths include only patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, and who died without fully recovering from the disease.

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Alamance and surrounding counties. Currently, the number of active COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high. It is important to take steps to reduce your risks of contracting COVID-19, specifically wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowds, and washing your hands and cleaning commonly used surfaces regularly. These steps are imperative to control the spread of COVID-19. The health of you, your loved ones, and the community are what matters.

Alamance County Offering Vaccine Appointments for those 75 or Older

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health, Public Safety.

The Alamance County Health Department will begin taking appointments for those in Phase1b, Group 1 – Adults 75 and over and any first responders and healthcare workers that were unable to get vaccinated during Phase 1a.
Due to the overwhelming demand for the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 75 and older, the Health Department has revised the vaccination process.
Starting Friday, January 8, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., the County will open a COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Hotline. Going forward all takers will be available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at 336-290-0650 to schedule vaccine appointments.

Only those adults 75 or older along with first responders and health care workers with appointments will be vaccinated at this time. Vaccines will no longer be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Vaccinations are administered at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) located at 2550 Buckingham Road in Burlington.

As a reminder the Health Department will not be administering vaccines tomorrow, Friday, January 8, 2021, at the Career and Technical Education Center due to forecasted hazardous weather conditions.

The Health Department and Alamance County Government asks for patience as everyone is working extremely hard to streamline this process.
Updated vaccination information will be available at www.alamance-nc.com.

Alamance County Vaccine Site Closed Friday, January 8

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health, Public Events, Public Safety, Storm Information.

The Alamance County Health Department will not be administering vaccines tomorrow, Friday, January 8, 2020, at the Career and Technical Education Center due to forecasted hazardous weather conditions.

Please be reminded that vaccines are only provided for Phase 1b, Group 1 – Adults 75 and over and any first responders and healthcare workers that were unable to get vaccinated during Phase 1a at this time.

County Government and local agencies are working hard to streamline the vaccination process, and we ask that you exercise patience. Updated vaccination information will be available at www.alamance-nc.com.

Third Rabies Case of 2020 Confirmed in Alamance County

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Community, County News, Environmental Health, General News, Health, Public Safety.

BURLINGTON – On December 23, the North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NCVDL) in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s third case of rabies for the year.

On December 23, Alamance County Animal Control was notified of a dog bite involving three people on or around Hester Road in Burlington. After picking the dog up, Alamance County Animal Control surrendered the dog to Burlington Animal Services. Burlington Animal Services euthanized the dog for humane reasons, and sent the dog to NCVDL for testing; the dog was positive for rabies. Of the four other dogs involved in the incident, two were up-to-date on vaccinations; they received two vaccination boosters and are currently under a 45-day quarantine. The remaining two dogs were not up-to-date on vaccinations and are currently under strict quarantine; euthanasia may be required. There were also seven cases of human exposure to the dog. The health department is assisting the 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 dog and notify Alamance County Animal Control, 336-570-6302, 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 Identifies COVID-19 Cluster at Child Care Centers

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health.

BURLINGTON – Alamance County Health Department has identified a COVID-19 cluster at MUMS Childcare in Mebane and Little Thinkers Daycare in Burlington. Currently, eight (8) cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among three (3) staff and five (5) children at MUMS Childcare. At Little Thinkers Daycare, six (6) cases have been confirmed among three (3) staff and three (3) children. The cases will be included on the biweekly Child Care and School Settings report for NC DHHS. NC DHHS defines a cluster as minimum of five laboratory-confirmed cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases.

“On Sunday December 14, MUMS The Kitty Hupman Weekday School closed its preschool program due to a possible case of COVID 19,’ said Laura Andrews, Director. “We immediately called the Alamance County Health Dept., and our state licensing consultant. Our next step was to contact all of the parents of our center and email them information provided by the health dept. We then followed the deep cleaning guidelines set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services of NC. After learning of more cases, on Wednesday, December 16, out of caution, we closed our afterschool virtual learning classes and continued our deep cleaning process throughout the school age classrooms. MUMS is scheduled to reopen in Monday, December 28th, 2020.”

“Little Thinkers is strictly adhering to Alamance County Health Department recommendations regarding masks, social distancing, hand washing, and sanitation so our children and staff remain safe and healthy,” said Roxanne Castille, Director of Little Thinkers Daycare.

“Alamance County Health Department was able to identify cases and respond to MUMS Childcare and Little Thinkers Daycare quickly,” stated Health Director Tony Lo Giudice. “We will continue to offer guidance to ensure the safety of staff, children, and the community.”

Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since then, a total of 9939 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 8886 have been released from isolation and 919 remain active and in isolation. Included in those active cases, 56 individuals are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been 134 COVID-19 related deaths. COVID-related deaths include only patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, and who died without fully recovering from the disease.

COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Alamance and surrounding counties. It is important to take steps to reduce your risks of contracting COVID-19, specifically wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowds, and washing your hands and cleaning commonly used surfaces regularly. During this holiday season, limit travel and limit physical contact with people who do not live in your household. The health of you, your loved ones, and the community are what matters.