All in Coronavirus
COVID-19 has no preference for party affiliations, and neither should we. As we suffer through a pivotal moment in history, its easy to point a finger and find someone to blame. Ever changing intelligence does not offer the same clarity as hindsight. Our governing body has displayed both strengths and weaknesses in doing what we have shown ourselves incapable of.
On Thursday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper announced a new Executive Order with three main parts. The first focuses on the number of people inside at one time and marking six feet of distance at places where people need to gather. The second part of this order includes mandatory protective measures for nursing homes that had previously been recommended as guidance. The third part makes it easier for employers to file a batch of claims on behalf of their employees.
As of 11:00 a.m., April 9, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 3,651 confirmed cases and 65 deaths. Lenoir County has 14 confirmed cases. Greene County has 10 confirmed cases. Jones County has 3 confirmed cases. This post has data going back to March 20, 2020, which showed NC at 137 cases and 0 deaths.
Two local organizations are teaming up together to provide aid for the healthcare industry to combat COVID-19. Additive America, a Kinston-based 3D print manufacturing firm and Lenoir Community College are combining forces to produce face shields for health care professionals.
Greene County Schools will observe Spring Break from Friday, April 10 through Friday, April 17. School meals will still be served during the break; however, remote learning will be suspended so students and teachers can observe Spring Break.
Three more cases of COVID-19 – cases 12, 13 and 14 – have been confirmed in Lenoir County. The Lenoir County Health Department received notification of the lab-confirmed cases on Wednesday, April 8. The Health Department is conducting further contact tracing investigations on the 13th and 14th cases.
So what do you say— do you tell people “Happy Holy Week?’”
“You could say 'Happy Easter,’ when it’s actually Easter day, or ‘Christ is Risen!’. Normally there are so many activities during the week before Easter. This year is different but should be no less activity in our hearts.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Governor Cooper stated, “Overnight, test results revealed a hotspot of transmission in Orange County. A series of tests for COVID-19 has revealed at least 60 positive results in a skilled nursing facility in Orange County with more likely to come. Of those, seven are hospitalized and two have died. These are shockingly large numbers, and I wanted to share information about what the state is doing to control and combat outbreaks at long-term care facilities to protect the residents and staff.”
Well, the Coronavirus is still with us, but there are hopeful signs that we may soon be turning the corner on the road to recovery. I like the way President Trump put it when he said it is not a question of MAY, it is a question of MUST. It is a bout perspective.
One additional case of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed positive in Jones County, for a total of three positive cases. The third individual, who is hospitalized at this time, was tested on Monday, April 6. Confirmation of this individual’s test results was forwarded to the Health Department on Wednesday, April 8. Jones County numbers: 40 Total Tests, 32 Negative Tests, 3 Positive Tests and 5 Pending Tests.
As of 11:00 a.m., April 8, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 3,426 confirmed cases and 53 deaths. Lenoir County has 11 confirmed cases. Greene County has 10 confirmed cases. Jones County has 2 confirmed cases. This post has data going back to March 20, 2020, which showed NC at 137 cases and 0 deaths.
On Monday, April 6, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of federal lawmakers in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to include funding for broadband internet in any further legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lenoir County Public Schools personnel have volunteered to forego time off to help the district continue to distribute no-cost lunches and breakfasts during its scheduled Easter break, which begins on Friday. LCPS Child Nutrition Director Danelle Smith and Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II, whose responsibilities include oversight of student services, announced the feeding program would continue without change or interruption on Friday, a state holiday, and during the week of April 13.
Lenoir County Health Department Director Pamela Brown and Jones County Health Department Preparedness Coordinator Diana Craft joined us for another Coronavirus Chat. We discussed all the latest developments in their counties and took questions from our live audience.
Two more cases of COVID-19 – the 10th and 11th – have been confirmed in Lenoir County. The Lenoir County Health Department received notification of the lab-confirmed cases on Tuesday, April 7 and continues to monitor more than 140 individuals and households across the county.
