Health Department  

Information for Long-Term Care Facilities:

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, NCDHHS recommends that all facilities that serve as residential establishments for high risk persons restrict visitors.  

Exceptions should include end of life care or other situations determined by the facility to necessitate a visit. If visitation is allowed, the visitor should be screened and restricted if they have a respiratory illness or potential exposure to COVID-19.

Facilities are encouraged to implement social distancing measures and perform temperature and respiratory symptom screening of residents and staff. These establishments include settings such as nursing homes, independent and assisted living facilities, correction facilities, and facilities that care for medically vulnerable children. 

In addition, long-term care facilities should:

• Practice good hand hygiene tips and other common-sense precautions
• Review policies and procedures for infection prevention and mitigation, and make sure all employees follow these steps.
• Assure strict adherence to infection prevention practices.
• Prevent the introduction of respiratory illnesses into their facilities.

Please see the following information and guidance for long-term care facilities:

• Interim Long-Term Care Setting Guidance for Residents with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Their Caregivers
• COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities 
• People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
• Steps to Prevent Illness
• Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
• Stop the Spread of Germs

Information for Businesses:

Please see the below information for employers and employees within North Carolina. These practices can help protect employers, employees, and the community:

• The following businesses are closed: gyms, movie theaters, sweepstakes parlors, health clubs, hair and nail salons, barbershops, massage therapists, and other similar facilities.  
• Any gathering of more than 50 people is prohibited in North Carolina, per an executive order issued March 23, 2020. NCDHHS has Guidance for Organizations that Gather Less Than 50 People Together. The ban on gatherings does not include airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and spaces where people may be in transit. Office environments, restaurants, factories, or retail or grocery stores are also excluded. Read the FAQ 

NCDHHS recommends that employers and employees:

• Employers should not ask for a negative COVID-19 test or a note from a medical provider for employees to return to work.
• Use teleworking technologies to the greatest extent possible. 
• Stagger work schedules. 
• Consider canceling non-essential travel.
• Hold larger meetings virtually, to the extent possible. 
• The following businesses are closed: gyms, movie theaters, sweepstakes parlors, health clubs, hair and nail salons, barbershops, massage therapists, and other similar facilities.  
• Arrange the workspace to optimize distance between employees, ideally at least six feet apart.
• Urge high-risk employees to stay home.
• Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
• Employees may discontinue isolation and return to normal activities when it has been at least 7 days since their first day of illness AND they have been without fever for three days (72 hours) and their other symptoms are improving, in consultation with their healthcare providers and state and local health departments.
• Reinforce good hand hygiene tips and other common-sense precautions with employees and patrons.
• Cross-train employees for key functions so that daily schedules can continue relatively uninterrupted by potential employee absences.
• Review absenteeism policies to make sure employees are not being encouraged to come to work if they are sick.
• Review recommendations for cleaning practices.
• Work to make sure fear and anxiety don’t lead to social stigma toward any employees.
• Make sure you are getting reliable information from sources like Davie County Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NCDHHS.

SBA Disaster Loans for Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted a disaster declaration covering all North Carolina counties, allowing affected businesses to apply for low interest SBA disaster loans. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov. 

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or 1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications forms can also be downloaded at disasterloan.sba.gov

Please see the following sources for additional guidance:

• COVID-19: Businesses and Employers
  
• Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Public-Facing Businesses and Agencies
• Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Malls and Shopping Centers
  
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19

Information for K-12 Public Schools:

An Executive Order issued on March 23rd directed K-12 public schools across North Carolina to close for in-person instruction until May 15. Governor Cooper has asked the State Board of Education in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction and legislators to develop a plan for access to quality education through the remainder of the school year.  

Information for Child Care Centers, and Daycare Providers:

NCDHHS recommends that child care centers:

• Cancel or reduce large events and gatherings, such as assemblies and field trips.
• Limit inter-school interactions. 
• Consider distance or e-learning in some settings.
• Consider dismissals if staff or absenteeism impacts the ability to remain open. Short-term closures may also be necessary to facilitate public health investigation and/or cleaning if a case is diagnosed in a child or staff member.

Child care centers should also:

• Take precautions to protect students and children, faculty and staff from the spread of respiratory illnesses
• Review absenteeism policies and procedures to make sure students or children, faculty and staff are not being encouraged to attend or work if they are sick.
• Remind your faculty, staff, students and/or children’s guardians that an annual flu shot is an important way to support overall health. While the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it is the best defense against the flu, which is a common respiratory illness.
• Make sure you are getting reliable information. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before forwarding information on to your students and children, faculty or staff. All North Carolinians can better prepare for COVID-19 by getting up-to-date information directly from reliable sources like Davie County Health and Human Services, NCDHHS and CDC.
• While some may be worried or have concerns about COVID-19, it is important to not let fear and anxiety lead to social stigma toward students and staff.

Please see the following links for further information and guidance:

• COVID-19 Child Care Provider Service Status Survey
  
• Door Sign for Child Care Facilities
• Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 for Child Care Providers
• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  
• Stop the Spread of Germs
• COVID-19: Colleges, Universities, Schools and Childcare Facilities

Information for Providers:

All health care providers should:

• Follow directions related to elective and  non-urgent and procedures and surgeries found here
• Review policies and procedures for infection prevention and mitigation and make sure all employees follow the appropriate steps.
• Consider using telemedicine, nurse triage lines and other options to prevent people with mild illnesses from coming to clinics and emergency rooms.
• Ask about travel history for patients presenting with respiratory illnesses and continue working closely with Davie County Division of Public Health, NCDHHS and the CDC and follow their guidance.
• Join in weekly calls with NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health.

Behavioral health and self-care

• Behavioral health providers should follow the guidance for health care professionals provided by NCDHHS and the CDC.
• Fear, stigma, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder can follow major infectious disease outbreaks, and all health care providers should be prepared for those reactions with the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The importance of self-care during stressful times cannot be over-estimated and all health providers, including behavioral health providers, are at risk for burnout and secondary trauma.
• Be aware of the behavioral health crisis services that are available. Some resources are included on the Individuals and Families page.

Please see the following links for information specific to healthcare providers:

• Get Your Clinic Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CMS Adult Elective Surgery and Procedures Recommendations 
• SAMHSA 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance 
• NCDHHS Memo to North Carolina Health Care Providers (3/23/2020)
• Temporary Order of the North Carolina State Health Director: Novel Coronavirus Infection Causing Death (3/23/2020)
• Interim Guidance for Discontinuation of Home Isolation (3/16/2020)
• COVID-19 Outpatient Triage and Assessment Guidance (3/23/2020)
• State Health Director Temporary Order Requiring the Reporting of Novel Coronavirus
• Interim Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (3/14/2020)
  
• Information for Healthcare Professionals
• COVID-19: Healthcare Providers, Hospitals, and Laboratories
• Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Interim Healthcare Facility Preparedness Checklist for COVID-19
• Frequently Asked Questions for Healthcare Providers
• COVID Infection Prevention: Home Care Isolation Guide
• COVID-19 Monitoring Visitor Log
• COVID-19 Person Under Investigation Case Report Form

Information for Dental Providers:

In order to protect staff and preserve personal protective equipment and patient care supplies, as well as expand available hospital capacity during the COVID19 pandemic, NCDHHS recommends that dental facilities take action to postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits (see link to guidance below) and procedures now and for the coming several weeks. Doing so assures hospital emergency departments and urgent care facilities remain available to serve individuals seeking medical care and treatment for potential COVID-19. 

• Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Dental Providers (3/25/2020)

Information for Veterinarians:

There is no reason at this time to think that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States. 

At this time, routine testing of animals for COVID-19 is not recommended. 

At this time, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread to people from the skin or fur of pets. 

There is no reason to think that any animals, including shelter pets, in the United States might be a source of COVID-19.

You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the new coronavirus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets.

• Frequently Asked Questions Pertaining to Animals
• Stop the Spread of Germs

Information for Special Populations:

Homeless Shelters and Providers

Persons experiencing homelessness may be at risk for infection during an outbreak of COVID-19. The CDC has resources to support response planning by homeless service providers, including overnight emergency shelters, day shelters, and meal service providers. This includes cleaning and disinfection recommendations.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also has information for housing providers, including organizations that provide housing for homeless individuals and shelters. This includes guidance for how to plan and respond to COVID-19 and following the CDC’s guidance for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.

All of the above information accessed from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.