Accessibility Tools
The Alamance County Government buildings located on the North Campus in Burlington are currently experiencing phone outages. These buildings include the Human Services Center, Family Justice Center, Agriculture Extension, and Environmental Health. AT&T is aware of the issue and working to restore service.
Email and websites remain active and available to the public.
The Board of Health is pleased to announce that we have offered the position of Health Director to Tony Lo Giudice and he has accepted. His effective start date is Monday, November 30, 2020. Over the previous three-month period, the Board of Health appointed search committee reviewed numerous applications, conducted several interviews and second-round interviews with top candidates.
The Board of Health took this responsibility seriously and spent many hours reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. “We are excited to announce a new Health Director, Tony Lo Giudice, who exhibits strong leadership, commitment and passion for improving the human condition in Alamance County. Lo Giudice rose to the top during our search process for his extensive knowledge and understanding of the current public health challenges we face today” states Board of Health chair Dr. Annette Wilson.
Lo Giudice will be vacating his position at Forsyth County Department of Public Health, where he has served as an Assistant Health Director since January 2017. Prior to moving to North Carolina in 2017, he served in various capacities in city government in Mesa, Arizona, most recently Community Health Program Director. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Government with an emphasis in Law & Public Policy from Regent University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Arizona State University; he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration from Capella University. Mr. Lo Giudice served and was honorably discharged from the United States Navy.
Alexandria Rimmer has been serving as interim Health Director since July 31, 2020. “I am grateful I was able to serve our community as a leader during this time as Interim Health Director and I am very excited to work with our new Health Director both during the transition and in the future as I return to the Environmental Health section of the health department. We will work together to ensure there is a smooth transition for staff, stakeholders and the community.”
“I am honored to be selected as the next Health Director. I look forward to joining the health department team and continuing to lead Alamance County on the path towards optimum health and well-being” said Lo Giudice.
Flu season is upon us and the Alamance County Health Department wants you to protect yourself and your family. Monday, October 12, the health department will begin offering seasonal flu shots to the public.
This year, the health department will be providing the following vaccine options to the public:
The vaccine is available while supplies last. One shot is all most people will need. Children under age 9, who have not previously been vaccinated against the flu, may need two doses.
The cost of the Quadrivalent vaccine is $41.00. The cost of the Flublok and High Dose Trivalent is $71.00. Uninsured children less than 19 years old are eligible for free vaccine. Insured children less than 19 years old whose insurance does not cover the cost of a flu shot may be eligible for free flu vaccine, pending certain qualifications.
The health department can bill Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurances. The flu vaccine will be available by appointment only at the following times:
Increase your chances of keeping the flu away by getting the vaccine. Also, remember to wash your hands often, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you are sick to help stop the spread of illness. For an appointment or more information, call the health department at 336-570-6459.
BURLINGTON – Alamance County Health Department has identified an outbreak at the assisted living facility Blakey Hall in Elon. Currently, two (2) cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the facility. The confirmed cases are among one (1) staff and one (1) resident. The staff person is an Alamance County resident. 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.
“We contacted the Alamance County Health Department to report the [COVID-19] results, as well as to seek any additional guidance once we received the results,” stated Ed Weeks, Executive Director of Blakey Hall in Elon. “We also communicated with our residents’ families and responsible parties to inform them of our results. The cases are concentrated in our special care unit for dementia residents. Our medical provider responded quickly to provide testing for all of our residents and staff in the unit. We will continue to work with the Health Department to aggressively protect our residents and staff. Our local health department has been an exceptional resource for our senior care facilities throughout this pandemic and we continue to appreciate their services.”
Weeks further stated “We will continue to exercise our current restrictions and sanitation practices. We are monitoring our residents and staff daily for symptoms and will be testing weekly until we no longer have any cases in our facilities.”
“Blakey Hall has worked in collaboration with the Health Department and we appreciate their continuous efforts to protect residents and staff,” stated Interim Health Director Alexandria Rimmer. “They worked quickly to test all staff and residents as soon as the outbreak was identified; we will continue to work together to keep those residents and staff safe.”
Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since then, a total of 3493 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 3162 have been released from isolation and 282 remain active and in isolation. Included in those active cases, 14 individuals are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been 49 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.
We are continuing to see COVID-19 in Alamance County through community-spread transmission. It is important to continue practicing the 3Ws to keep our friends, family, and neighbors safe. If you leave your home remember to: wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth, wait six feet apart and avoid close contact, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if handwashing is not readily accessible. We are all in this together, thank you for you diligence to keep our community safe.
The Board of Health is pleased to announce that they have completed the Interim Health Director search after a competitive application and interview process. The Board offered the position of Interim Health Director to Alexandria Rimmer, MPH, and she has accepted the position. Rimmer will assume the health director duties beginning July 31, 2020 at 5pm.
Rimmer is currently employed by the Health Department as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist. She has been employed with the Health Department since 2018. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University.
“I am truly honored to be offered this opportunity to lead the health department during this transition,” said Rimmer. “I am eager to assist the department in a leadership capacity as we continue to respond to COVID-19 and also remain dedicated to our other public health functions.”
The Board of Health has formed a Search Committee and will be meeting in the coming weeks to begin the process to appoint a permanent Health Director.
June 26, 2020 – Alamance County Health Director Stacie Saunders has announced she is resigning her position at the Health Department effective July 31. Saunders will join the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services as Public Health Director effective August 3.
“This is an incredible health department and I am so proud of the work we have done together including improving access to birth control methods, committing to better birth outcomes by making Centering Pregnancy our standard of care for maternity, expanding Children’s Dental Health Clinic services to schools, and combating multiple communicable disease threats, including the current novel coronavirus pandemic,” Saunders said of her time in Alamance. “This health department is filled with dedicated individuals, committed to serving the people of this community. It has been an honor to serve alongside these public health champions every day.”
Saunders began her public health career at Alamance County Health Department in 2007 in a grant-funded position aimed at reducing infant mortality. Saunders has served as the Public Health Director for Alamance County since 2014.
The Alamance County Board of Health will appoint an interim Health Director in the coming weeks.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/22/20
Upon learning that ACE Speedway intends to reopen on May 23, Alamance County has decided not to prohibit its reopening during Phase 2 of Governor Cooper’s plan to reopen North Carolina.
Over the past month, ACE Speedway has communicated extensively with the Alamance County Department of Public Health regarding recommended precautions in an effort to reduce potential exposures. ACE plans to implement several precautions, including screening attendees and providing rosters to the Health Department to facilitate contact tracing, in the event it is needed. In addition, ACE will maintain 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area, recommend masks for crews and 6 feet social distancing in the pit area, provide alcohol hand sanitizer solution at multiple areas (minimum of 10 stations) on infield premises, and provide precaution signage at the entrance, bathrooms, tech shed, and fuel and tire areas. Areas will be marked off in the grandstands to support social distancing. Bathrooms will be disinfected regularly and high touch areas will be disinfected every hour. Special precautions will be taken when dropping off wheels to be mounted and picked up and at fuel drop off. Plexiglas partitions have been installed where needed. The number of persons in the infield and outfield have been limited.
County Attorney Clyde Albright said, “The Exemptions listed in Section 4 of Executive Order 141 include activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights, which include the right to peaceably assemble. This exemption retroactively applies to earlier Executive Orders. Significantly, the Governor’s language in the Exemption has changed from ‘order’ to ‘strongly urges’. The Governor recognizes that he may only urge people engaged in exercising First Amendment rights to practice social distancing and other disease control measures. He cannot Constitutionally limit the number of people who can peaceably assemble under the First Amendment. The Temporary Restraining Order
issued last Friday by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, in the lawsuit Berean et al versus Governor Roy A. Cooper, held that the earlier Executive Orders violate the freedom to attend worship services protected by the First Amendment. Because the right to peaceably assemble is also a First Amendment right, if Alamance County were to attempt to restrict the operation of a business not otherwise restricted by Executive Order 141 then such action may itself be in violation of the First Amendment.”
Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson stated, “When I took my oath of office, I swore to uphold the United States Constitution. I will not enforce an unconstitutional law. Upon hearing the opinion of the County Attorney, I do not intend to stop ACE Speedway from opening on Saturday, May 23.”
All Alamance County residents are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations to promote social distancing and reduce transmission, including maintaining at least six feet from other individuals, wearing a face mask, using hand sanitizer, frequently washing hands, and remaining home if sick. Alamance County is committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents, while recognizing that Americans have freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Media inquiries should be directed to County Attorney Clyde Albright at Clyde.Albright@alamance-nc.com or Health Director Stacie Saunders at Stacie.Saunders@alamance-nc.com.
BURLINGTON – 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 to protect yourself and also those you care about.”
Media Partners: Questions regarding the facility should be directed to Jeff Cochran at jcochran@peakresourcesinc.com.
NC DHHS will be reporting twice-weekly congregate living facility surveillance reports on their website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/covid19/covid-19-nc-case-count#by-congregateliving
BURLINGTON – 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:
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.
BURLINGTON – 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.”