Chapel Hill Review

Town of Hillsborough recently issued the following announcement.

This holiday season, remember that any gathering of people from more than one household poses a risk for COVID-19 transmission.

In recent weeks, North Carolina has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, and hospitals are nearing capacity. Orange County has been seeing about 50 new cases per day recently, and many North Carolina counties have seen higher numbers.

"We all have a role to play in making sure our hospitals are there for everyone,” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Director Mandy Cohen said during a news conference last week. “That's why we all have to work hard to do everything we can, especially as we head into the holidays."

Health officials recommend against gathering with people who do not live in the same household and offer additional guidance for those who choose to do so. For more information, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Considerations for Events and Gatherings webpage and the NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Winter Holidays document.

North Carolina currently prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 10 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 50 people. Additionally, the state requires nearly everyone to wear a face covering when around anyone who does not live in the same household.

Testing

Orange County offers free COVID-19 testing on most days. County testing events will be canceled Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1 due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. See the county’s COVID-19 Testing webpage for more information,

Modified stay-at-home order

North Carolina will remain under a modified stay-at-home order through at least Jan. 8. Under the order:

• People must remain at home 10 p.m.-5 a.m. with some exceptions.
• Many businesses and activities must be closed or suspended during these hours.
• Alcohol sales are prohibited 9 p.m.-7 a.m.

Read more about the order on the state’s frequently asked questions page.

Ways to decrease risk

The best ways to reduce your risk of viral transmission is to:

• Limit travel during the holidays.
• Limit physical contact with people who do not live in your household.

Whenever gathering with anyone outside your household, you should remember the 3Ws:

• Wear a face covering.
• Wait 6 feet apart or maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
• Wash hands well.

The 3Ws are even more important if you are getting together with someone at high risk of complications with COVID-19. People at high risk include anyone who:

• Is 65 years of age or older.
• Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
• Is pregnant.
• Is a smoker.
• Has a high-risk condition including:
  • Cancer.
  • Chronic kidney disease.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • A heart condition such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy.
  • A compromised immune system from a solid organ transplant.
  • Obesity (a body mass index of 30 or higher).
  • Sickle cell disease.
  • Type 2 diabetes.

Original source can be found here.