By Mark Starling
Governor Extends Stay-At-Home Order
(Raleigh, NC) North Carolina s modified stay-at-home order is being extended. Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that a 10 p.m. curfew will remain in place until the end of February. Businesses must also continue to stop selling alcohol by 9 p.m. Wednesday s announcement additionally extended the eviction moratorium through March.
Winter Weather Moving Through WNC
(Asheville, NC) A winter storm warning is in effect for parts of western North Carolina. Higher elevations could receive anywhere from three-to-six-inches of snow before a weather system moves out today. It is also bringing strong winds, with gusts as high as 50 miles-an-hour. The Asheville area is expected to get less than an inch of snow.
AdventHealth announces inaugural winner of the Sunshine Award
Hendersonville Times-News
AdventHealth Hendersonville announced Tuesday the first recipient of its new Sunshine Award, Melissa Metcalf, CMA. She is part of the AdventHealth Medical Group Psychiatry team.
Metcalf earned the honor for her dedication to taking patient care beyond the doors of AdventHealth clinics, according to a news release from the local hospital.
She has been a vital part of the AdventHealth Food Prescription program for patients across the AdventHealth system who are food insecure.
Her nomination came from AdventHealth Hendersonville Population Health Manager Cindy Conner. Conner shared that Metcalf has come in on her days off and after hours to deliver countless bags of groceries to patients who have referrals for the food prescription program.
Very somber occasion as Henderson County hits 100 COVID deaths
One hundred.
That is how many people have now died from COVID-19 in Henderson County, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“It is a very somber occasion to reach the mark of 100 COVID-19 deaths in our community. It echoes the toll and human suffering we have experienced as a nation over the past year with over 400,000 deaths now,” Henderson County Health Director Steve Smith said Monday.
“Everyone has a different perspective about the pandemic and its impact in Henderson County. The families and loved ones of those lost wouldn’t debate with you. They have experienced those losses in a direct and personal way . a friend, a family member, a neighbor,” he continued.
The clinics will take place on Monday, Jan. 25, and Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The vaccine clinics will take place at 1151 Naples Road across from the AdventHealth hospital in the former Fletcher Valley Market.
An appointment is required for the clinic. Walk-ins without an appointment will not be vaccinated. Scheduling for these clinics will take place online. Please visit AdventHealthNC.com for details of the clinics and to make your appointment.
The hospital will be scheduling appointments for the number of vaccine doses available and will not be using waiting lists. AdventHealth is following the state-mandated distribution cycle for the various groups. The vaccine is not currently available to the public at any AdventHealth hospitals, AdventHealth Centra Care locations or AdventHealth Medical Group practices.
Earlier coverage:
When the Henderson County Department of Public Health began scheduling appointments for the Covid-19 vaccinattion a week ago, it had 1,000 appointments available. All were booked within the seven hours the call center was open.
On Jan. 13 the call center received approximately 19,000 telephone calls for 600 appointments that were still available. With calls overwhelming the phone system, the Health Department expanded the call system on Monday. Henderson County obligates all vaccines within the first 48 hours of receiving them. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, with a new supply of doses in hand and the enhanced call system in place, the Department of Public Health will again begin booking approximately 700 appointments. The call volume is expected to be heavy.