Dare County and the National Weather Service to Host Virtual Hurricane Preparedness Forum

Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson will be joined by Erik Heden, the NWS local Warning Coordination Meteorologist, for a virtual Hurricane Preparedness Forum on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. The forum will discuss important information on personal preparedness actions and updates on weather service forecast products. Topics will include adapting preparedness efforts to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19 and why it’s important to never just focus on the category of a storm but instead focus on the impacts.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.  

Register for the virtual forum here. Internet access is required. 
 
If you have questions about the forum, please contact Drew Pearson at 252.475.5655 or drew.pearson@darenc.com.

DCDHHS Announces Details for COVID-19
Diagnostic& Antibody Testing Event

Dare County is partnering with Mako Medical Laboratories out of Raleigh, NC to host a diagnostic and antibody COVID-19 testing event in Dare County.  

The event will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 starting at 1:00 p.m. at Dare County Center located at 950 Marshall Collins Drive, Manteo NC.  Appointments are required. This event is open to permanent residents of Dare County, ages 10 and older. 

Individuals can register for an appointment for the diagnostic test, the antibody test, or both. The diagnostic test determines if an individual currently has a COVID-19 infection. The antibody test is used to determine if an individual had a COVID-19 infection in the past. A positive antibody test does not mean an individual has immunity to future COVID-19 infections.

Individuals only receiving the diagnostic test will be able to stay in their car and get the test via a drive-thru service. Individuals who wish to have the antibody test will be required to come into the building as the test requires a blood sample be drawn. 

To schedule an appointment, please call 252.475.5008. The call center is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Participants are required to send a photocopy of their government-issued identification card and insurance card prior to the event.

This is not a free event, however, individuals with insurance will not incur any out of pocket cost as the COVID-19 test is completely covered, no deductible and no co-pays. All insurances cover the COVID-19 diagnostic test, including Medicaid and Medicare. Mako Medical Laboratories will utilize the COVID-19 Relief Fund to cover costs of diagnostic testing for individuals who are uninsured. Mako Medical Laboratories will work with individuals without insurance who are seeking antibody testing. More information will be provided when individuals call to register for an appointment.

Individuals who participate in this testing event should understand they are coming to a community-based testing site located in a public location and therefore patient privacy cannot be assured. All results will, however, be confidential. 

Dare County Department of Health & Human Services will receive test results from Mako Medical Laboratories and call individuals to provide them with their results within 72 hours of the event. 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider. This testing event is only for asymptomatic individuals. For those entering the building for testing, we will be providing temperature checks. For more information on testing locations in Dare County please visit darenc.com/covidtesting.

Dare County, NC: A Message from Chairman Bob Woodard

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard recognizes the efforts made by local businesses to keep the Dare County community safe from the spread of COVID-19 and re-emphasizes the importance of practicing the three W’s (wear, wait, wash).

The video is available for streaming Dare County’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/DareCounty. It has also been shared on Dare County’s Twitter account, @DareCountyGovt. The video will be broadcast on Current TV Government Channel 191 for local Spectrum TV customers. CurrentTV’s programming schedule and additional programming is available for viewing on-demand at CurrentTV.org. 

Dare Counts - Census 2020

As of July 23, 2020, Kill Devil Hills response rate for the 2020 Census is about 81%. Be counted today and help us grow our response rate. A complete and accurate count is vital for the entire Outer Banks community.
 
Responses from the 2020 Census help direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities, determine how communities plan for the future, and your representation in government. Did you know that Census data helps communities respond to natural disasters?!
 
Everyone is affected by this count. If you drive on a road, cross a bridge, have children in school, go to the doctor's office or hospital, require special assistance from federally funded programs, or use any other public service, join us and make the pledge to participate in the 2020 Census.
 
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics.
 
Getting a complete and accurate count in 2020 requires everyone's participation. Complete the 2020 Census online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020 (English) or 1-844-468-2020 (Spanish). 
 
If you have already completed the 2020 Census, thank you for helping KDH count! Please help us increase the response rate by spreading the word to your family, friends, and neighbors.