BURLINGTON – 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.
BURLINGTON – 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:
Follow the Governor’s Stay at Home guidance and Executive Order that limits gatherings
Practice social distancing by keeping more space between individuals
Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
Have a plan in place to care for yourself or a sick family member due to illness
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
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.
BURLINGTON – The NC DHHS COVID-19 case count map is reporting an unusually high increase in COVID-19 cases on April 13. This increase is due to a large batch of LabCorp test results 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. The Health Department has notified partners at Labcorp, they have identified that the results are for another state and are working to reassign those results to the proper jurisdiction. This may take some time. We apologize for any concern or distress this may cause the public.
Alamance County’s current case count this morning is 39. Twenty-one (21) of these confirmed cases have been released from isolation by the Health Department. Of the remaining 18 active cases, 3 are receiving care in a hospital.
Thank you all for your continued support and commitment to protecting yourselves and others. We can’t do this work without you!
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:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
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
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.
BURLINGTON – 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. 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:
Practice social distancing by keeping more space between individuals and avoid large gatherings
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill & stay at home if you are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
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
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.
Alamance County Board of Commissioners Chair Amy Scott Galey urges residents to take steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to make preparations to check on or care for those who are at higher risk for infection. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) recommends that those over 65 years of age, or those with underlying health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or those with weakened immune systems, to avoid crowds and stay home to prevent the risk of infection.
“While there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in Alamance at this time, County Government, along with the Alamance Health Department and Emergency Management, have been monitoring the situation and taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our residents and employees,” says Chair Amy Scott Galey. “Our local health department, as part of their daily responsibilities, plan, prepare, and practice for these types of situations. All of our county employees are working hard to ensure continuity of services for our residents.”
At this time, the county has been communicating with employees to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in taking precautions to protect themselves and others to limit the spread of infection.
The County will be activating the Emergency Operations Center and will continue to meet and update partner organizations and stakeholders to communicate any changes or recommendations regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The County is currently evaluating all scheduled programs and events.
Please visit www.alamance-nc.com/covid19 for the most updated information regarding any cancellations. A Coronavirus (COVID-19) Call Center will be available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm beginning on Monday, March 16. Residents and organizations are encouraged to call 336-290-0361 for general Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions or information regarding the County’s response.
The County encourages residents to follow the NCDHHS and CDC guidelines to minimize the spread of infection:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Do not reuse
tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
If you develop symptoms or suspect you may have Coronavirus (COVID-19), please contact your health care provider. For the most current state and national information or recommendations regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus. Residents are also encouraged to visit www.alamance-nc.com/covid19 for Alamance County information, cancellations, or updates.
BURLINGTON – Alamance County Health Department (ACHD) was one of eight health departments awarded reaccreditation status by the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation (NCLHDA) Board on November 22, 2019.
“All of the agencies recently achieving reaccreditation have much to be proud of. They have not only demonstrated their ability to meet a set of important performance standards but excelled in many areas. Through reaccreditation, these agencies demonstrate a strong commitment to continuously work to improve the quality of services provided to their respective communities,” comments Amy Belflower Thomas, NC Local Health Department Accreditation Administrator.
Reaccreditation with Honors designation was awarded to seven agencies. This honorary designation was implemented for the first time in the fall of 2017 to recognize agencies that especially excelled in their accreditation assessment by missing one or less activities within each of five standards set by the NCLHDA program. ACHD received 100% completion on all 147 reaccreditation activities in all five standards. With successful completion, the health department’s reaccreditation period is 2019-2023.
“I could not be more proud of our reaccreditation with honors. It is a true testament to the hard work and integrity our public health professionals demonstrate each day in providing quality services and programming to improve health in Alamance,” stated Health Director Stacie Saunders.
North Carolina is the first state in the country to mandate accreditation for its local health departments. The purpose of the accreditation program is to assure a basic level of capacity and services in each of the local health departments across the state.
Since the pilot program involving six local health departments began in 2004, all eighty-five health departments have all been initially accredited and reaccredited at least once. The process of accreditation includes three major components – a self-assessment completed by the agency, a site visit by a multidisciplinary team of peers to review performance standards, and determination of accreditation status by an independent Accreditation Board comprised of state and local public health officials, Board of Health members, County Commissioners, and public members.
The NC Local Health Department Accreditation program is a collaboration of the North Carolina Institute for Public Health (part of the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors.
The Alamance County Board of Commissioners will recognize ACHD for their reaccreditation achievement at the December 16 meeting.
BURLINGTON – On October 22, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh confirmed Alamance County’s seventh case of rabies for the year.
On October 18, Burlington Animal Services was notified that a raccoon and two dogs were in an altercation on Fairview Street in Burlington. Alamance County Animal Control sent the raccoon to the State Laboratory for Public Health for testing and the raccoon was positive for rabies. The two dogs were up-to-date on vaccinations and received a post-exposure booster. One adult was exposed to the raccoon and is receiving 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 cat and notify Animal Control or the Health Department’s Environmental Health office at (336) 570-6367 if you have questions or concerns.
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
Alamance County Environmental Health Office, located at 209 N. Graham-Hopedale Road, is offering a rabies vaccination clinic on November 9, 9am-12pm. The cost is $5. Please have all cats in carriers and dogs on leashes.
Last year, Alamance County had five 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 – Flu season is upon us and the Alamance County Health Department wants you to protect yourself and your family. Monday, October 7, the health department began offering seasonal flu shots to the public.
This year, the health department will be providing the following vaccine options to the public:
Quadrivalent flu vaccine injection which covers four strains of influenza
Flublok flu vaccine injection which is recommended for people with egg allergies that are ages 18 years and older
High Dose Trivalent vaccine which covers three strains and is recommended for people over 65 years
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 $35.00. The cost of the Flublok and High Dose Trivalent is $65.00. 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:
Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)
8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
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- Three additional cases have tested positive for mumps, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to six.
“We continue to implement our local public health response which has included up to this point offering vaccinations to the university population, identifying individuals with possible symptoms and supporting the university in increasing awareness”, says Alamance County Health Director Stacie Saunders. “We are grateful for Elon’s quick communication with our health department and their continued proactive participation in the response.”
Throughout the month of October the health department will work with the university to offer MMR vaccinations to Elon students, faculty, and staff at Student Health Services by appointment. Vaccination appointments can be made by calling 336-278-7230 during operational hours. Between the open clinics held on campus and vaccinations given at Student Health Services, nearly 800 individuals have received an additional dose of MMR vaccine, which further reduces the risk of contracting mumps and is recommended by health officials in a situation like the one we are experiencing.
Students exhibiting symptoms or those with medical concerns should contact the Student Health Center at 336-278-7230. Faculty and staff with medical questions should contact their primary care provider or the Faculty & Staff Wellness Clinic at 336-278-5569. Community members may call their primary care provider or the Alamance County Health Department at 336-516-7715 to speak with a public health nurse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend two doses of the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. The recommended two doses of the vaccine provides approximately 88 percent protection against infection. According to the CDC, mumps outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings like college campuses. High vaccination coverage helps limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks. Elon enforces the State of North Carolina requirement that all incoming students provide evidence of two vaccinations against mumps or proof of immunity against mumps. Nearly all students at Elon have had both of their mumps vaccines, which are administered as a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as part of the childhood recommended vaccines.