Message to the College on Coronavirus — NC Governor Declares State of Emergency

From Central Piedmont Environmental Health and Safety:

According to the Charlotte Observer, “North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Tuesday as leaders and public health officials continue to deal with the coronavirus. The state now has seven people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, health officials said. All of the patients are in isolation while officials identify close contacts.” There are no confirmed cases in Mecklenburg County at this time.

From the article: “’This is a critical moment’ for stopping the further spread of the disease, said Mandy Cohen, state Health and Human Services Secretary, at a noon news conference with the governor. She urged people to avoid big gatherings, particularly if they’re considered at high risk for illness. Cohen also said the state isn’t recommending closing schools at this time. ‘This situation is rapidly changing and recommendations about school closures could change as we learn more, but today we are not recommending any preemptive school closure,’ she said.”

Central Piedmont continues to remain in contact with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Mecklenburg County Health Department for updates and direction.

In the meantime, teams from the college’s contracted company for cleaning and janitorial services, ABM, are taking extra care to clean and disinfect the usual virus and germ “transmission points,” such as doorknobs, light switches, water fountains, phones, counter tops, etc.

To reduce your chances of contracting any kind of illness, the CDC recommends the following.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick (social distancing).
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Lysol products kill COVID-19.

We recognize public health emergencies can be stressful, so the CDC provided resources on mental health and coping during COVID-19. Unfortunately, the fear and anxiety can also lead to social stigma. That’s why the CDC also issued information about helping end coronavirus-related stigma and discrimination that is occurring toward groups of people including:

  • persons of Asian descent
  • people who have traveled abroad or to states with coronavirus outbreaks
  • emergency responders or healthcare professionals

We can all stop stigma and the spread of misinformation by knowing the facts about COVID-19 and sharing them with others.

Visit coronavirus information for all of Central Piedmont's updates on COVID-19.