Doing business with Davie County during COVID
Published 4:07 pm Friday, December 11, 2020
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
| County Administration: all Davie County Government related meetings, events, trips, and programs have been altered to limit mass gatherings and the use of all public meeting rooms in our facilities used by non-governmental organizations and community organizations that are non-essential have been discontinued temporarily. Residents impacted by these activities continue to be notified.
Davie County Government services will operate under normal business hours. Doors are open to the public; however, we encourage business to be conducted either online or over the phone if possible. Staff congregating should be minimal and individual social distancing is expected Department directors have been given the authority to develop alternate work schedules, shifts, and/or teleworking options for employees while assuring that there are enough staff members to cover essential services. Staff should code their time appropriately to ensure emergency reimbursement for their time while assisting with COVID-19 response. |
| The Davie County Government Human Resources Department is open to walk-ins, positions must be approved prior to posting. Secondary employment requests will be assessed to ensure primary coverage. Leave requests are at the discretion of each Department Director for approval to ensure that staffing levels support essential service to residents. The County may offer temporary full-time employment as needed to ensure coverage of essential services. Effective March 6, 2020, to be in compliance with the new federal law, Blue Cross/Shield NC will:
(1) provide coverage for the following items and services, without Member cost sharing requirements, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, and without prior authorization and other medical management requirements:
In vitro diagnostic products (as defined in section 809.3(a) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations) for the detection of SARS–CoV–2 or the diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID–19 that are approved, cleared, or authorized under section 510(k), 513, 515 or 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the administration of such in vitro diagnostic products; and
Items and services furnished to a Member during health care provider office visits, including in-person, telehealth, urgent care center, and emergency room visits, that result in an order for or administration of an in vitro diagnostic product to the extent such items and services relate to the furnishing or administration of such product or to the evaluation of such Member for purposes of determining the need of such Member for such product.
(2) Waive prior authorization requirements for covered services related to a COVID-19 diagnosis that are ordered by a physician, medically necessary, and consistent with Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention guidance.
The Davie County Employee Wellness & Acute Care Clinic is open under normal hours. In order to reduce unnecessary exposure we are encouraging patients to maximize the use of phone triage by calling the clinic during our normal office hours @ 336-753-6500. Prescription refill, medication management, lab follow-ups, & some sick visits can be handled over the phone at this time. Please call to confirm upcoming appointments. No walk-ins. Davie County Government staff and covered family members who have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 we will phone triage and direct as appropriate. The employee wellness clinic cannot test for flu or COVID-19. |
| The Davie County Sheriff’s Office will continue to respond to lifesaving emergencies, serious crimes in progress, crimes against persons, death investigations and other calls for service. Evictions will not be enforced at this time. Handgun purchase permit applications may be completed online. Conceal carry permits and purchase permits that need to be issued or renewed will still be conducted with preventive measures at the Sheriff’s Office. Please walk around the rear of the courthouse and enter at the Civil Division. Jail visitation is halted, with exceptions for attorney / client privilege. All persons entering the jail will be checked for well-being before entry; if they appear sick, they must be cleared by medical personnel. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley and Chief District Court Judge Michael have provided guidance regarding court operations and proceedings. |
| Emergency Services is continually consulting with our Medical Director and North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Service (NCOEMS) officials regarding procedures aimed at reducing exposures to our public safety staff and first responders. Messages have been sent to applicable staff and first responders regarding our screening process with the goal of decreasing exposure. Response to medical calls at long-term care facilities will only be conducted by County Emergency Medical Services. We will continue to update as we receive new information. For job essential services employees who need to continue working and cannot go home for safety precautions, we may be able to offer an alternate housing response on an as requested basis. |
| Senior Services & Senior Center building will be closed to the public until further notice. Meals on Wheels participants are receiving a 5-day supply of frozen meals each week. Delivery is being done by the Sheriff’s Office, Mocksville Police Department and a few low-risk volunteers. Delivery is being done through a “no-contact” delivery and volunteers are screened for health-related issues to ensure those delivering meals to the homes of our seniors are healthy. Clients are being called two other times throughout the week to check in on them. Congregate meal participants are being served with a 5-day supply of frozen meals. Meals are obtained through a weekly drive-through pick up service. Senior Services is offering various alternative programs, including parking lot events, drive-through events and some virtual programming through videos. Starting October 15, Senior Services will be offering in-person Medicare counseling for those who wish to look at their plans during Open Enrollment. To arrange for meal, obtain a calendar of events, or schedule an appointment for Medicare counseling, please contact Senior Services. |
| Public Health & Social Services have implemented home visit protocols for the protection of staff and clients, with CDC and NCDHHS recommendations being followed. Public Health Staff review check-in processes with patients when scheduling appointments and during reminder call appointments. When clients arrive at the Health Department for sick or well visits they are guided by the sign on the door to call the clinic and be triaged by phone by a nurse before entering the building. All who are sick and who are in the family of someone sick are given masks to wear. Well patients are offered and provided masks too if they want to wear one. WIC clients are being served remotely by telephone at this time, but if they need to |
| come into the office the same clinic protocols apply. The sick patients are taken directly to rooms designated for those who are sick. When appropriate, staff will call the home prior to visitation to assess for sickness in the home. If sickness is reported, and when possible, staff will conduct home visits outside. Training regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and kits containing a mask, gloves, gowns, hand sanitizer and disposable bags will be provided for staff members with home visitation responsibilities to use when necessary. Signage has been placed on the doors to notify individuals with symptoms consistent with Coronavirus to stop before entering the building. Appropriate phone numbers have been placed on each sign so residents with symptoms can call in to be served – or staff can go outside to assist. DCHHS staff continue to consult with residents, businesses, restaurants, medical providers, assisted living and long term care facilities, and day cares. Permit applications can be mailed, or either be dropped off in the drop box outside the building or, when the option is available, the client can request a brief exchange of documents in the parking lot. Vital records can either be mailed or call before arriving the building to confirm when staff can meet them with this information in the parking lot. |
| NCDHHS has now asked local health departments to shift focus and begin laboratory testing to identify and track COVID-19 cases in the community. Per guidance, emphasis will be placed on priority populations which include health care workers, first responders, persons in high-risk congregate settings, and persons at a higher risk of severe illness that are symptomatic. Symptomatic individuals in the categories mentioned will be tested at no charge through the state lab. Those who have a private physician or alternate health care should seek services and testing through their providers/facilities. Public Health staff continues to provide appropriate follow up for contact tracing and investigation. Environmental Health will continue to provide all required services, while following the recommendations and guidance from NCDHHS regarding COVID-19. Vital statistics will be handled via telephone and fax at this point. Economic Services will continue to assist those with food and medical needs (FNS and Medicaid) with added precautions. Residents should call their caseworkers and submit applications and requests via phone or online if possible. A locked drop box has been places outside the building to submit paper applications for those who do not have access to phones or the website, during business hours. Child Welfare continues to meet statutory obligations of home visits for Investigations/Assessments, In Home and Foster Care as required, with extra precautionary measures. Child Welfare and Economic Services staff will be working in shifts to accommodate need and adhere to social distancing requirements. |
| The Davie County Center for Violence Prevention will continue to serve clients. Staff will follow proper procedure to maintain the safety of clients and employees. |
| Veterans Services continues to serve the veterans of Davie County. Preferred method of assistance is by telephone. However, when necessary, clients can be seen face-to-face by appointment only. Appointments will be conducted at the Senior Services building, 278 Meroney Street, to allow for social distancing. Please do not leave anything in the drop box at the Veterans Office or Senior Services without first notifying the Veterans Service Officer. |
| Development & Facility Services will operate under normal business hours, but will have minimal to no public access. Face-to -face business will be assessed for appointment only for critical/essential/mandated business that cannot be conducted online or over the phone.
Permits & Inspections should be conducted via our online system or phone. Walk-in payments, applications, and documents will not be accepted in person and should be done online, or via check or cash at external drop box depositories (298 E. Depot Street). Code enforcement activities are suspended except in cases involving life and safety concerns. The Development Services Department requests that permit holders maintain a clean and safe environment for County staff so we may continue to provide inspection services. Please follow CDC guidelines (COVID-19) for maintaining social distancing, frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and requiring sick personnel to stay home. Job sites should be clear of workers if social distancing cannot be maintained. All pertinent documents needed for completing inspections are expected to be on-site and in the area of the job where needed. Field inspections will continue, with modifications made to accommodate social distancing on the job site. An inspector can refuse to perform inspections if they determine the safe environment of the jobsite has been compromised. Commercial or Residential inspections that cannot occur due to illness or concern on the part of the homeowner, contractor or inspector will be rescheduled (and documented in the inspection results). Inspections at facilities with populations vulnerable to COVID-19 will be modified on a case by case basis for the protection of all involved. No meetings will occur in a job trailer or similar confined space. Contractor conferences and outdoor meetings may be held based on capacity and following CDC guidelines. Non-essential inspections may be delayed based on capacity (i.e. changeouts, ABC, etc.). Occupied single-family residential inspections will not be postponed, but occupants should be prepared to answer specific questions about health, travel and exposure before our inspection is performed; social distancing will be expected as an element of our presence on-site. Questions to be answered before entering an occupied home: Do you or anyone at the project site have any of the following symptoms-fever, cough or difficulty breathing? Have you or others at the project site had close contact with someone with COVID-19? Have you or others you’ve been in contact with travelled outside the country in the last 14 days? If the answer to any of the above questions is “yes” the inspection will be postponed until further notice. |
| The Davie County Register of Deeds Office will offer recording of documents via e-file, mail, and through a drop-box method. Vital record requests will be processed via mail and drop-box. Please call the office to schedule notary oaths and to discuss possible options for obtaining a marriage license. |
| Tax – Forms can be found online at https://www.daviecountync.gov/380/Forms or in the Tax Office. If citizens have any questions please call 336-753-6120 or 336-753-6130. Citizens may also come into the office for assistance. Payments can be made in the office, online, external lockbox, mail or via check at external drop box depositories. |
| Davie County Public Utilities waived all late fees and suspend disconnection of water and sewer services through August 1st 2020 for non-payment so citizens can still practice all general hygiene and remain in a safe and heathy atmosphere. Walk-in payments, applications, and documents will not be accepted in person. Payments can be made online or via check or cash at external drop box depositories (298 E. Depot Street). Suspending Disconnections and Late Penalties-Per the Governors Executive Order 124, as of March 31, 2020, a local government utility must suspend disconnecting residential accounts for nonpayment. This only applies if there was a delinquent account balance as of March 31, 2020, and if any delinquencies are incurred between March 31, 2020 and June 31, 2020. Suspending Late Penalties-Davie County Public Utilities will not impose a late penalty for a “late or otherwise untimely payment” for the regularly occurring user fees or charges on residential accounts that come due between March 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020. Payment Plans-Executive order also states we must offer its residential customers one or more reasonable payment plan options to pay any regularly occurring user charges that come due only between March 31, 2020 and July 31, 2020. By the terms of the, executive order the payment plan must allow a residential customer at least six months from the termination of the executive order to pay off any delinquent amounts accumulated during this 60-day period (or longer if the is executive order extended). Now that the executive order has expired any past due amount before March 31, 2020 and any amount owed after July 31st 2020 water can be disconnected for non-payment. |
| Board of Elections Office is now open to the public Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Citizens are encouraged to wear a face covering and maintain social distance of at least six feet. Staff encourages business to be conducted via phone or email when possible. Staff can be reached by phone at 336-753-6072 or email at tparrish@daviecountync.gov. |
| N.C. Cooperative Extension is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. However, citizens are still encouraged to contact the office to schedule an appointment before visiting, and to conduct business via phone or email, when possible. Visitors to the building should wear a face covering and maintain social distance of at least 6 feet. Please call 336-753-6100 to schedule an appointment and visit their website for updates. |
| The Public Library is open to the public and operating under normal business hours:
Mocksville Branch Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cooleemee Branch Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch) 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
