Case Numbers Climb, Vaccination Plans Move Forward

Press release from Cumberland County:

Dec 02, 2020

The Department of Public Health reports 728 new COVID-19 cases in Cumberland County in one week and six additional deaths since the last report on Nov. 24. Cumberland County has 9,623 total COVID-19 cases and 121 deaths since the onset of the pandemic and remains in the Orange tier of the NC COVID-19 County Alert System.

Tier Orange indicates substantial community spread using cases rates, the percent of tests that are positive and hospital impact within Cumberland.

Cumberland County is testing more than 4,200 residents weekly. Of those tested in the last 14 days, 8.8% returned positive.

Vaccination Distribution Plan
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) submitted the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in mid-October for the distribution of the vaccine to everyone who is eligible for and wants a COVID-19 vaccine.

Cumberland County Health Department staff recently participated in NCDHHS COVID-19 vaccine planning virtual open houses and informational webinars to prepare for vaccine dispensing. Currently, staff are assessing current and anticipated needed supplies as well as storage capacity. The Health Department is reviewing the mass dispensing plans along with participating in preliminary planning meetings with NC DHHS, Cumberland County Emergency Management, Cape Fear Valley Hospital and Ft. Bragg Department of Public Health.

The County will update the public on vaccine distribution information when plans are finalized.

Help with Winter Heating Expenses
NC DHHS recently announced it will issue an automated payment to thousands of eligible households to help with winter heating expenses via the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. program is designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating assistance in a safe and socially distanced manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services is now accepting applications for LIEAP. The federally funded program provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.

Households including a person age 60 or older or disabled persons receiving services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services are eligible to sign up for assistance through Dec. 31. Disabled persons are defined as receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Administration (SSA), or Veterans Administration (VA) disability.

All other households may apply from Jan. 4 through March 31 or until funds are exhausted.

Since the Cumberland County DSS building remains closed to the public, applications can be accessed at ccdssnc.com/energy-assistance-programs/ and may be returned by:

• fax to (910) 677-2885
• email to energyprogram@ccdssnc.com
• mail to PO Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302
• drop off at CCDSS drop boxes at 1225 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Households that include a Native American who is 18 years of age or older residing in Cumberland County, who wish to apply for LIEAP benefits, must do so through the Lumbee Tribe at https://www.lumbeetribe.com/services .

For more information, contact the DSS LIEAP message line at 910-677-2821 or the Cumberland County Department of Social Services at 910-323-1540.

Staying Updated
Cumberland County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19. You can visit our COVID-19 webpage, which has a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes. The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

This press release was produced by Cumberland County. The views expressed are the author's own.