Fw: Sept 10 COVID-19 Updates
Renee Price
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 4:07 PM
Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Sept 10 COVID-19 Updates
Happy Friday everyone!
A few COVID-19 updates are below. Let me know if you have questions.
September 10, 2021: COVID-19 Stakeholder Update
Thank you to those who have done their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and masking up. Please talk with your family and friends who are not yet vaccinated, help them get accurate information and urge them to get their shot now.
Cabinet Agency Vaccination and Testing: Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 229, which extends several provisions outlined in Executive Order 224 that direct the State Health Director to issue statewide standing orders for testing and vaccination. Additionally, this Order directs cabinet agencies to implement the COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy developed by the North Carolina Office of Human Resources (OSHR).
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Access: Governor Cooper signed an Executive Order to make it easier for North Carolinians to access treatment for COVID-19 expand access to monoclonal antibody treatment, which if taken early can decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. While vaccines provide the best protection from COVID-19, treatment options such as Monoclonal Antibodies are available if you have had symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days or less or have been exposed to COVID-19. Social media graphics are on the monoclonal antibody treatment web page so that partners, providers, and more can use and share: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/treatment#share-materials. Flyers are available for digital distribution in English and Spanish.
COVID-19 Clusters among Schools and Sports Teams: The first weeks of school have brought more COVID cases among schoolchildren. This rapid spread can lead to quarantines when schools don’t have strong mask requirements in place. School districts should follow the CDC’s recommendation and require masks and keep other important safety measures in place as we continue battling the pandemic. There has been a sharp increase in COVID-19 clusters among school sports teams. Between July 1 and September 2, 2021, clusters among school sports teams accounted for 45% of all clusters in North Carolina middle and high schools, despite most school sports activities not beginning until August. For the week ending Sept. 4, children age 17 and under made up 31% of the state’s new COVID-19 cases. That is the highest percentage since the pandemic began. School sports teams are urged to follow NCDHHS guidance for youth sports.
Testing is Widely Available: Anyone who has symptoms of or has been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested as soon as possible. To find a testing site in your community, go to ncdhhs.gov/GetTested. People who are not experiencing serious symptoms should not go to the emergency department for routine COVID-19 testing.
You Are a Vaccine Ambassador: If you are already vaccinated, talk with your unvaccinated family and friends. Share your experience, help them get accurate information, and urge them to get their shot now. It could save their lives. Use our communications toolkit and videos.
Visit myspot.nc.gov for accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine. We need to layer up our protection to fight this more contagious Delta variant and weather the storm: Vax up, Mask up and urge others to do the same.
Updated Guidance since the last update includes:
- Updated Guidance: Staying Ahead of the Curve (specifically NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Indoor and Outdoor Venues)
- Updated Guidance: Staying Ahead of the Curve (specifically Recommendations for Protecting Each Other from COVID-19, Guidance for Events and Festivals, Guidance for Weddings and Celebrations (new), and Guidance for Places of Worship)
- Updated Guidance: Vaccines (specifically Statewide Standing Order for FDA Approved COMIRNATY and FDA Authorized Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Administration)
- Updated Guidance: Child Care (specifically ChildCareStrongNC Spanish Toolkit)
Hattie Gawande
Senior Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Cell: 919-906-1899
Help protect your family and neighbors from COVID-19.
Know the 3 Ws. Wear. Wait. Wash.
#StayStrongNC and get the latest at nc.gov/covid19.
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