Staying Informed on Local COVID-19 Efforts
For the most up-to-date local information, check out the City's various social media outlets, including our City of Reidsville & Team Reidsville Facebook pages, and Team Reidsville Instagram & Twitter.Governor's Executive Orders.
On January 6, 2021, Governor Cooper extended his Modified Stay at Home Order, Executive Order 188, until January 29, 2021. Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services also sent out a Secretarial Directive that same day due to increasing positive cases and hospitalizations.
On December 8, 2020, Governor Cooper released Executive Order 181, a Modified Stay at Home Order with a curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. that starts on Friday, December 11. Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions & Order on the Governor's website.
On November 23, 2020, Governor Cooper released Executive Order 180, which requires face coverings to be worn indoors if you are in contact with nonhousehold members, regardless of the distance between. Attached is the Frequently Asked Questions sheet.
On November 10, 2020, Governor Cooper released Executive Order 176, which extends Phase 3 but lowers the indoor mass gathering limit to 10 people, down from 25. Attached is the Frequently Asked Questions sheet.
On October 28, 2020, Governor Cooper held a press conference and announced Governor's Order 171 assisting North Carolinians at risk of eviction.
On September 30, 2020, Governor Cooper held a press conference and announced plans to move the State into Phase 3. Here is the Governor's Order 169 which took effect at 5 p.m. on October 2, 2020, and some Frequently Asked Questions.
On September 1, 2020, Governor Cooper held a press conference and announced plans to move the State into Phase 2.5. Here is the Governor's Order 163 which took effect at 5 p.m. on September 4, 2020, and some Frequently Asked Questions.
Governor Roy Cooper has announced that Phase 2 of re-opening North Carolina will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22. Here is the Governor's Order and the FAQs regarding Phase 2. UPDATE: The Governor has extended Phase 2 of the re-opening until Friday, July 17, 2020. Face masks are required in public unless you qualify for one of the exemptions.
County-Related Info
The Rockingham County Health Department announced March 31, 2020, Rockingham County's first diagnosed COVID-19 cases (press release). On April 1st, the first County death was reported (press release). Updated statistics can be found at this link to the Rockingham County Public Health Department, which updates frequently. What does the definitions mean on the COVID-19 graphs from the Rockingham County Department of Health & Human Services & other info? Learn more here.
Cone Health COVID-19 Information
This is a link to a Cone Health COVID-19 resource guide.
Annie Penn Hospital has started as of May 14 conducting COVID-19 testing for those referred by a physician who meet certain qualifications. Learn more in this slide.
Other Information:
Medicaid Beneficiary Portal (Released Dec. 2, 2020)
Need Rent and Utility Assistance? (Released October 19, 2020)
Applications for NC’s new COVID-19 rent and utility assistance program, the North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program are now available.Renters who need rent or utility assistance can apply online at nc211.org/hope. Applicants who cannot access the online application can also call 2-1-1 and speak with a program representative, who will assist the caller through the application on the phone. Callers can reach 2-1-1 Monday-Friday between 7 am and 6 pm. The new program seeks to promote housing stability during the ongoing pandemic by providing rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and utility disconnections. The HOPE Program will provide $117 million for rent and utility assistance for renters who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, have a current household income that is 80 percent of the area median income or lower, and are behind on their rent or utilities when they apply. The HOPE Program is funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant−Coronavirus funds and U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus Relief funds, which have been provided to North Carolina. The funds are administered by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, a division of the Department of Public Safety, and will be distributed through community partner agencies across the state.
- Renters can apply for utility assistance, rent assistance or both programs. Rent assistance is paid to the landlord on behalf of the applicant. This includes overdue and future rent payments, for up to six months. At least one month’s rent must be overdue at the time of application.
- Utility payments will be made directly to the utility provider for up to six months of past due essential utilities, such as electricity, water, sewer/wastewater, natural gas and propane.
- For more information about the HOPE Program, visit nc211.org/hope.
Latest Resources provided in a NCDHHS update December 2, 2020:
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PRESS RELEASES since the last update include:
- NC Medicaid Expands Website to Include New Resources for Medicaid Beneficiaries and Applicants
- NCDHHS to Provide Automatic Payment to Thousands of Seniors and People with Disabilities to Help with Winter Heating Bills
- NCDHHS Further Expands Demographic Data for COVID-19 Cases
- NCDHHS Releases Action Plan to Reduce Cancer Burden for North Carolinians
- (Governor’s Office) With Cases Rising Rapidly, North Carolina Tightens Existing Mask Requirements and Enforcement
NEW resources since the last update include:
- Additional communication resources for the holiday season added to Faith Leaders toolkit page
UPDATED guidance since the last update include:
- NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Winter Holidays
- Safer Holiday Breaks guidance and flyer were added in Spanish
o NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Safer Holiday Breaks (Spanish)
o NCDHHS Safer Holiday Breaks Flyer (Spanish)
- Changes on face coverings/masks updated in most guidance docs based on E0 #180 including:
o Webpage Cloth Face Coverings and Masks
- COVID-19 Vaccine Update (Spanish)
- NASTAD Syringe Service and Harm Reduction Guidance for Winter
- NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Museum and Aquariums
- Interim guidance for Retail Businesses
- NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Administrators and Participants of Youth and Amateur Sports Programs
- Requirements & Recommendations for Non-Public Schools
UPDATED reports since the last update include:
- County Alert System Report
- COVID-19 Clusters in North Carolina Report
- Outbreaks and Clusters Reports
- Patients Presumed to be Recovered Report
- Risk Factors for Severe Illness Report
- CLI Surveillance Report
NEW EVENTS ADDED to the community testing events page
UPDATED Contact Tracing numbers
Secretary Cohen’s Remarks
Our trends are worrisome. More people are going to the Emergency Department with COVID-like illness. Our cases are at their highest levels since the start of the pandemic. The percent of tests that are positive is up.
Too many people are becoming seriously ill. Our hospitalizations have hit record levels, with over 2,000 people hospitalized right now across the state.
Sadly, more than 5,000 North Carolinians have lost their lives from this virus since our first death on March 12th. To give some perspective, just under 1,500 people died from the flu in the past ten years. In just 11 months, COVID has killed more than three times that number.
These are more than trends and numbers. They are real people. With significant community spread across the state, anyone of any age, can transmit COVID to someone who is at higher risk for serious illness. That’s why our prevention tools – those 3Ws – are so important. Wearing a mask, waiting six feet apart and washing hands often are proven to help prevent people from getting sick, keep people out of the hospital, and save lives. Fortunately, we are likely just a few weeks away from having a new tool that we’ve all been waiting for - a vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines will help us defeat this virus and get back to the people and places we love. Vaccines imitate an infection, so that our bodies think a germ, like a virus, is attacking and make antibodies that we need to fight if the real germ attacks.
The Food and Drug Administration and their external advisory committee will review two vaccines this month . Between those two vaccines, more than 70,000 people participated in clinical trials to see if the vaccines are safe and if they can effectively prevent someone from getting COVID-19. The preliminary data looks strong. We look forward to reviewing the complete data when it is made publicly available in the next few days.
Once a vaccine is authorized for use by the FDA, states will receive very limited supplies at first.
To help determine who should get the vaccine first, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine convened an independent COVID Vaccine Advisory Committee. Our prioritization plan is based on their guidance along with guidance from the National Academy of Medicine on equitable distribution of vaccine.
Initially this very limited supply of vaccines will go to a limited number of hospital settings to vaccinate health care workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 – those who are caring for or cleaning areas used by patients with COVID-19.
As more vaccine becomes available, we will be able to have vaccine distributed to more of the state’s hospitals and to our local health departments to focus on vaccinating our high-risk health care workers. Additionally, long-term care staff and residents are prioritized to receive vaccine. Vaccinations at our nursing homes, adult care homes and other long-term care settings are being managed by the federal government. However, the vaccines used in long-term care will come from our state’s allotment.
We hope by January that health departments and community health centers will start vaccinating other high-risk adults who are high risk for complications, meaning they have two or more chronic conditions, and who are at higher risk for exposure.
The key takeaways are that vaccines will initially be available in limited settings, primarily our hospitals across the state, then our long-term care residents and staff.
The vaccine will be free to everyone. Any fees associated with the administration of the vaccine will be paid either by your insurance company or by the government.
We’ve been hard at work preparing for this moment. Our vaccine plan outlines the critical steps needed to administer a vaccination program of this scale – everything from enrolling providers to give vaccines, to ensuring that vaccines are distributed equitably and providers can properly store and handle them, to developing an IT system to manage vaccine supplies and ensure that people get both doses, to training providers on how to use that system, to having a process to monitor adverse reactions, and so much more. States will need federal support and federal dollars as they undertake such an unprecedented effort.
Having a safe vaccine within reach is an extraordinary achievement. At the same time, it is not a quick fix. It will take several months to have enough supplies that anyone can readily get a vaccine. Until most people are vaccinated, those 3 Ws remain our best tool to protect our loved ones, to make sure our hospitals are there for those who need them, and to save lives.
So whatever your reason, get behind the mas
Governor Roy Cooper has announced Executive Order #124, which prohibits residential utility disconnections, late fees and reconnection fees, likely at least for a 60-day period (March 31-May 30) due to nonpayment. The City of Reidsville will not impose new penalties for late payments or collect on penalties that were imposed on residential accounts as of March 31, 2020, for at least 60 days. This does not in any way eliminate utility charges or the user's responsbility to pay those charges. Residents are urged to keep their accounts current, but the City will offer a utility payment plan for up to six months after the Governor's Order ceases. See more details here in the Order. UPDATE: On May 30, 2020, Governor Cooper extended the utility shutoff moratorium for an additional 60 days until the end of July. The moratorium has since been lifted.
JOINT MAYOR INTERVIEW:
Reidsville Mayor Jay Donecker, along with other Mayors in Rockingham County and the County Comission Chairman discussed Phase 2 regulations in a joint interview on Star News Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Information on Governor Cooper's decision to ease some restrictions, etc. as part of Phase 1 beginning May 8. See here the latest Executive Order No. 138, FAQs and "Side-by-Side" comparison.
Governor Roy Cooper has extended the Stay at Home Order until May 8. See the latest Executive Order No. 135 here.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, the State of North Carolina will be under a Stay at Home Order from Governor Roy Cooper. Please see the attached Order. For Frequently Asked Questions and information that might help businesses determine whether they are "essential," go to this link.
City Operations
As of March 26, 2020, City of Reidsville offices will be closed except by appointment only. City operations are continuing. City parks are open, but playground areas are closed. Find out more in the attached press release. City offices will remain physically closed to the public except by appointment only or via phone call during Phase 1 & 2 of the Governor's re-opening of the State.
Business Info
Are you a small business looking for resources in light of COVID-19? Check out the City's economic development site, rockitinreidsville.com. Go here.
Learn more about the TEAM REIDSVILLE TOGETHER and TAKEOUT BINGO initiatives from the Reidsville Downtown Corporation and the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses and community agencies (press release) (flyer).
Keeping your Building’s Water System Safe
For Temporarily or Partially Shut Down Businesses, Churches, and Schools
Unused water in the pipes of temporarily shut down business buildings and unused sections or floors of commercial buildings can easily become stagnant. Conditions may develop in those pipes that increase the risk for growth and spread of waterborne bacteria, like Legionella or other biofilm-associated bacteria. Disinfectant normally found in the water, such as chlorine, will likely dissipate or become undetectable. Actions are necessary to ensure the water in our buildings is safe as well as taste and odor free before resumption of normal water use. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has very detailed information on reactivating plumbing systems after dormant conditions on its website, here.
If you are a business owner that has had to partially shut down a part of your operations, postpone business entirely, or if you are planning to use a water system that has been lying dormant for a while, please be sure to make safe decisions when continuing your water usage. The website, again, is https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html
Curbside & Takeout Options
Local Eateries & Bakeries are open across the City and providing drive through, counter pickup or curbside pickup. Support our small businesses! Listing of Downtown Restaurants. The Reidsville Chamber of Commerce has also created a Facebook page for all area restaurants, Reidsville Area Carry Out & Delivery.
Updates from Reidsville Mayor Jay Donecker:
December 27, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
December 13, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
November 25, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
November 15, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
November 1, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
October 18, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
October 4, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
September 20, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
September 6, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
August 23, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
August 9, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
July 26, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
July 12, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
June 28, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
June 14, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
May 31, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
May 24, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
May 20, 2020 Star News Interview:
May 17, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
May 13th Star News Interview:
May 10, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
May 6, 2020 Star News Interview: May 3, 2020 COVID-19 Update on CodeRED (transcript):
April 29, 2020 Segment on Star News:
April 26, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED (Transcript):
April 22, 2020 Star News Interview:
April 19, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED (Transcript):
April 15, 2020 Segment on Star News:
Below is an interview by Mark Childrey of Star News with Mayor Jay Donecker as they discussed COVID-19 in relation to the City of Reidsville.
April 12, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED (Transcript):
April 5, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED (Transcript):
April 1, 2020 Segment on Star News:
Below is an interview by Mark Childrey of Star News with Mayor Jay Donecker as they discussed COVID-19 in relation to the City of Reidsville.
You can listen to Mayor Jay Donecker's latest interview with Mike Moore Media at 12 noon on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/mikemooremedia/jay-donecker-mayor-of-reidsville-03-31-2
March 29, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED (Transcript):
March 25, 2020 Emergency Meeting of City Council
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Reidsville City Council unanimously agreed to implement a Go to Work/Stay at Home Social Distancing Order BUT to stay or delay the execution of that Order. This will allow the City's legal counsel, public safety officials, the City Manager/staff and local health officials time to craft the wording of that Order. It will require a second meeting of the Council, which has yet to be determined, to review and approve the document and decide the timeline to implement the Order. The actual meeting was streamed via Facebook Live by Rockingham Update. RockinghamNow was also present at the meeting.
Below is an interview by Mark Childrey of Star News with Mayor Jay Donecker as they discussed the actions taken at the March 25th meeting. Star News is planning to do weekly updates with the Mayor while this crisis continues.
March 25, 2020 Segment on Star News:
March 22, 2020 COVID-19 Update -- CodeRED:
March 19, 2020 Segment on Star News:
March 15, 2020 CodeRED Message (Transcript):