HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrange State of Emergency Declaration - March 7 2022 2 `rf
Renee Price, Chair ®t 96nge
Jamezetta Bedford vice-Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners
Amy Fowler Post Office Box 8181
Sally Greene 17 52
Jean Hamilton 300 West Tryon Street
Earl McKee Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
Anna Richards
AMENDMENT TO THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ORANGE COUNTY
Sec.1. The Chair of the Board of County Commissioners declared the existence of a state of
emergency in Orange County pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 166A-19.22 on March
13, 2020 ("Original Declaration") and revised the Original Declaration on March 25, 2020, April
23, 2020, May 6, 2020, May 21, 2020, June 10, 2020, June 26, 2020,July 9, 2020, July 17, 2020,
August 18, 2020, September 4, 2020, October 2, 2020, November 13, 2020, December 1, 2020,
March 19, 2021, June 21, 2021, July 23, 2021, August 11, 2021, and March 1, 2022.
Sec. 2. The undersigned, in consideration of changing circumstances related to COVID-19,
previously adopted revised declarations of emergency incorporating the terms of various
gubernatorial Executive Orders with some changes and exceptions deemed necessary and
specific to Orange County. Due to improving COVID-19 data, trends, and metrics over recent
months the undersigned, in consultation with the Orange County Health Director, determines
and makes the following findings:
a. COVID-19 Variants continue to spread throughout the nation and Orange County, however
such spread is decreasing substantially; and
b. COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations are decreasing both nationwide and in Orange
County; and
c. As of February 28, 2022 there were 1,618 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in North Carolina,
of whom 324 adults were occupying ICU beds; and
d. As of February 28, 2022 there were 277 adults hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the Mid
Carolina Regional Healthcare Coalition, of which Orange County is a member, and of those
309 hospitalized patients 52 were occupying ICU beds; and
e. As of February 28, 2022 Orange County specific metrics include a 5.5% COVID-19 positive
test rate, and Centers for Disease Control ("CDC') Community Level Metrics of 177.8 cases
per 100,000 people in the last seven days, 16.84 new hospitalizations per 100,000 people in
the last seven days, and 12.5% of staffed inpatient hospital beds occupied by COVID-19
patients; and
f. Vaccinations and boosters remain the most effective tools to prevent the spread of COVID-
19 and its variants; and
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g. As of February 28, 2022 vaccination rates in Orange County are at the highest level in the
state with approximately 76% of the population fully vaccinated, and 78% of the population
having received at least one dose of vaccine; and
h. Although masking is beneficial in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, on
February 17, 2022 Governor Roy Cooper, in consultation with Health and Human Services
Secretary Kody Kinsley, encouraged "schools and local governments to end their mask
mandates;" and
i. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ("NCDHHS") has, pursuant to
current trends and metrics, issued the following guidance related to Face Coverings, "North
Carolina's COVID-19 metrics are moving in the right direction. If trends continue to improve,
NCDHHS recommends schools and local governments consider moving to voluntary masking
beginning March 7, 2022. Because well-fitting masks provide extra protection, you may still
choose to wear one. Businesses should make the best decisions for their employees and
customers. Please be respectful of others who choose to wear a mask. Masks are still
required in places like health care, long-term care and public transportation like airplanes.
This is because of the setting or federal regulations;" and
j. By both the CDC and NCDHHS metrics Orange County has a moderate COVID-19 Community
Leve 1.
Sec. 3. In consideration of all available data, trends, and metrics related to the impacts of
COVID-19 in Orange County, and particularly the Orange County-specific metrics, the
undersigned, in consultation with the Orange County Health Director, hereby determines it is in
the best interest of the residents of Orange County to leave in place the declaration of
emergency. Pursuant to factors set out above, the available data, trends, and metrics related
to the impacts of COVID-19 in Orange County, guidance from both the CDC and NCDHHS, and
the recommendation of the Orange County Health Director, the Orange County Declaration of
Emergency related to COVID-19 is hereby amended as follows:
a. The State of Emergency in Orange County is amended as stated herein and continues until
such time as it is rescinded or terminated by the Chair of the Board of County
Commissioners; and
b. Save and except for Section 3 of the August 11, 2021 Amendment to the Orange County
Declaration of Emergency, which remains in effect, and the terms and changes
implemented in this Amendment, all prior Orange County specific requirements and terms
of the Original Declaration as amended are repealed; and
c. In addition to the current terms of the COVID-19 related gubernatorial declaration of
emergency, the following shall apply throughout Orange County;
i. It is recommended that all residents of Orange County wear Face Coverings in
indoor settings in Orange County. "Face Covering" means a complete covering of
the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the
ears and fits snugly against the side of a person's face. A Face Covering may be
made of synthetic or natural material. Face Coverings are required for anyone who
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Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
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(919)245-2130 •FAX(919)644-0246
(a) lives or works in high-risk settings such as congregate living facilities,
hospitals, nursing homes, and other similar facilities, or
(b) uses public transportation systems, subject to the determination of the
public transportation agency.
ii. Face Coverings for Orange County employees and visitors may continue to be
required in certain Orange County owned, leased, or operated buildings or rooms of
buildings. If effective, notice of this requirement shall be prominently posted and
displayed at all publicly accessible entrances to such buildings or rooms of buildings.
iii. Social/physical distancing is recommended in public indoor settings.
iv. Social/physical distancing may be required in certain Orange County owned, leased,
or operated buildings or rooms of buildings. If effective, notice shall be provided to
employees of and visitors to such buildings or rooms of buildings.
V. Should COVID-19 data, metrics, or trends in Orange County worsen, social/physical
distancing requirements and Face Covering requirements may be re-adopted.
Sec. 4. This Amendment is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by Chapter 14 of the
Orange County Code of General Ordinances and Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General
Statutes. A copy of this Amendment shall be provided to the Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners. Reports of the substance of its prohibitions and restrictions shall be sent
immediately to the mass communications media serving Orange County. As soon as practicable,
the full text of this Amendment shall be distributed to the mass communications media serving
Orange County. A copy of this Amendment shall be posted conspicuously on the Orange
County website at www.orangecountync.gov. Notice and a signed copy of this Amendment to
the Declaration of a State of Emergency in Orange County shall be submitted to the
Department of Public Safety WebEOC.
Sec. S. This Amendment is effective at 5:00 pm on March 7, 2022.
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Renee Price, Chair Date
Orange County Board of Commissioners
www.orangecountync.gov
Protecting and preserving—People,Resources,Quality of Life
Orange County,North Carolina—You Count!
(919)245-2130 •FAX(919)644-0246