►
From YouTube: Buncombe County COVID-19 Update (May 27, 2020)
Description
May 27, 2020 COVID-19 Community Update from Buncombe County Government. Speakers include:
· Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Interim Public Health Director and Medical Director for Buncombe County
· Dr. William Hathaway, Chief Medical Officer for Mission Hospital
· Calvin Hill, Chief District Court Judge
· Alan Thornburg, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge
· Todd Williams, District Attorney for Buncombe County
A
A
Today's
updates
will
come
from
dr.
Jennifer,
mullendore
interm
Public
Health
Director
and
medical
director
for
Buncombe
County,
dr.
William,
Hathaway,
chief
medical
officer
for
Mission
Health
Calvin,
Hill,
chief
district
court
judge,
Allen,
Thornburg
senior
resident
Superior,
Court
judge
and
Buncombe
County
District
Attorney
Todd
Williams,
and
we
will
get
started
with
dr.
Mullen
door.
B
B
The
staff
and
administrators
of
these
facilities
live
in
your
community
in
your
neighborhood.
They
shop
at
the
same
stores
that
you
do,
and
so
we
have
to
remember
that
we
all
share
the
same
space
and
then
it's
important
that
we
all
play
a
role
and
protecting
each
and
every
member
of
our
community,
especially
those
who
are
most
vulnerable
to
illness
and
death
since
kovat
19
is
primarily
spread
through
droplets.
Face
coverings
are
recommended
for
all
of
us
to
use
cloth
face.
B
Coverings
are
primarily
designed
to
protect
others
from
viral
transmission,
in
other
words,
you're,
not
wearing
it
so
much
for
yourself
as
you're
wearing
it.
For
that
other
person
that
you
may
come
into
contact
with,
and
we
have
to
remember
that
wearing
a
face
covering
is
not
a
replacement
for
practicing
the
social,
physical,
distancing
from
others
and
good
personal
hygiene
practices
like
hand
washing
when
performed
together.
These
actions
can
help
prevent
the
spread
of
kovat
19
in
our
community.
B
C
Good
afternoon
and
it's
a
pleasure
again
to
be
here
in
front
of
you-
I'd
first
like
to
thank
the
community
for
their
continued
efforts
to
flatten
the
curve.
I
think
we've
been
predominantly
successful
in
in
in
that
endeavor
to
date,
but
would
also
like
to
remind
us
that
the
work
is
not
done
and
throughout
my
comments
today,
you'll
hear
me
reinforce
the
need
for
attention
to
the
three
WS
as
we'll
see
at
Mission
Health
System.
Today
we
have
eight
people
in
house
who
are
infected
with
covin
19.
C
This
is
a
number
that
is
slightly
higher
than
our
prior
two
to
six
average
and
I
think
reflects
a
real
increase
in
the
prevalence
of
the
disease
in
our
community.
We
had
peaked
at
a
dozen
people
hospitalized
with
kovat
19
last
week,
and
this
was
related
in
predominance
to
what
dr.
mullendore
referred
to
as
a
cluster
of
cases
in
our
skilled
nursing
facilities.
C
Interestingly,
the
patients
that
were
hospitalized
were
these
staff
members
of
these
facilities
and
not
the
residents
and
I
think
that's
a
credit
and
a
tribute
to
the
hard
work
that
the
staff
members
do
in
caring
for
these
patients.
In
what
can
only
be
described
as
exceptionally
challenging
and
difficult
times
and
I
would
like
to
echo
dr.
Mullen
Dores
comments
that
we
remember
the
hard
work
that
they're
doing
that
is
both
physically
and
especially
emotionally,
demanding
at
this
time,
both
on
the
employees
of
these
facilities
and
to
the
family
members
of
these
patients
who
are
suffering.
C
We
continue
to
monitor
our
supplies
closely
right
now,
despite
the
increase
in
the
number
of
cases,
we
do
not
feel
that
it
puts
us
at
risk
for
our
ability
to
care
for
the
community
both
for
kovat
and
for
non
kovat
illness.
We
have
ample
rooms
for
care
of
patients.
We
have
ample
supplies
to
care
for
the
patients,
including
ventilators
and
personal
protective
equipment.
C
I
want
to
reassure
everybody
that
we're
monitoring
that,
on
a
daily
basis,
to
make
sure
that
we
have
no
problems
with
with
supplies
as
we
move
forward,
I
want
to
give
an
update
about
some
news
that
I
think
has
become
public
knowledge
recently
about
a
cluster
of
cases
that
has
occurred
in
staff
members
at
Mission
Hospital.
We
became
aware
of
this
this
past
Friday,
when
a
small
number
of
staff.
C
All
of
whom
worked
together
on
a
specific
unit
in
the
hospital
one
of
our
pulmonary
floors,
came
down
with
symptoms
of
kovat
19
those
staff
members
were
tested
and
in
the
testing
process
we
identified
six
members
of
our
staff,
who
were
actually
positive
for
this
illness
immediately.
We
went
into
our
contact
tracing
mode
both
of
staff
members
and
of
patients
to
determine
if
there
was
any
risk
to
anyone
else
in
the
units
we
found
that
there
was
no
evidence
of
risk
to
patients
that
all
contacts
with
patients
occurred
in
fully
protected
gear.
C
We
determined
that
it
was
necessary
to
test
the
remainder
of
our
staff
on
that
unit,
and
at
this
point
in
time
we
have
identified
no
additional
cases.
A
total
of
48
people
have
been
tested
to
date
and
have
been
negative
with
seven
additional
test
results
currently
pending.
Now
I
want
to
emphasize
that
this
exposure
took
place
about
10
days
ago,
and
so
we
feel
that
we're
near
the
end
of
the
window,
where
this
will
be
putting
additional
staff
members
at
risk.
C
C
How
highly
transmissible
it
is,
how
infectious
the
agent
is
and
that,
if
this
can
occur
to
these
heroic
people
in
our
own
facility
that
it
could
occur
to
any
of
us
at
any
time
and
I
want
to
emphasize
that
we
should
be
ever
mindful
of
the
three
WS
as
we're
moving
into
Phase
two
well
into
Phase,
two
of
the
uplifting
of
our
social
restrictions,
and
that
those
three
w's
again
are
wear
a
mask.
Wait
six
feet
apart
and
wash
your
hands
and
that's
the
tip
of
the
iceberg.
C
Only
go
out
when
you
need
to
be
mindful
of
your
neighbors,
be
respectful
of
your
neighbors
wearing
a
mask
is
a
sign
of
ultimate
respect
to
those
in
the
community
and
again,
if
these
this
can
happen
to
people
in
our
community
who
are
the
most
skilled
in
using
personal
protective
equipment.
I
think
it's
a
warning
to
all
of
us,
and
the
last
comment
that
I'd
like
to
make
is
that
the
hospital
remains
a
safe
place
to
get
your
care.
C
We
want
to
re-emphasize,
as
I
said
last
week,
that
we've
seen
a
decline
in
the
number
of
people
who
are
seeking
emergency
care
in
a
variety
of
conditions,
and
we
don't
want
anyone
to
be
apprehensive
about
coming
to
the
hospital
for
care
that
would
otherwise
warrant
attention,
such
as
stroke
care,
heart
attack
care
or
other
severe
life-threatening
illness,
and
the
same
goes
true
for
your
doctor's
offices.
That
is
a
safe
place
to
get
care.
We
want
people
to
seek
attention
when
they
have
medical
problems
and
not
avoid
it
for
fear
of
getting
the
virus.
C
D
Our
courts
are
beginning
to
expand
operations
consistent
with
the
Chief
Justice's
order,
beginning
on
June,
1st
I,
say
expanding
operations
because
our
courts,
as
many
of
you
know,
have
remained
open
and
operational
during
this
period.
While
we
have
operated
with
greatly
reduced
numbers,
we
have
still
managed
to
carry
on
the
business
of
the
course.
D
Many
of
the
matters
we
postpone,
including
landlord-tenant
matters,
will
now
begin
to
come
back
online
at
a
gradual
pace.
Unless
we
hear
differently
from
the
Chief
Justice
or
the
governor,
we
have
worked
with
courthouse
leadership
and
the
county
to
begin
planning
a
safe
re-entry
into
the
court
consistent
with
chief
justice,
business
orders
and
governor
Cooper
knows
Cooper's
orders
and
our
local
commissioners.
D
We
will
be
moving
forward
with
wearing
masks,
social
distancing,
hand-washing
or
sanitizing,
and
the
necessary
cleaning
protocols.
The
county
has
provided
personnel
to
go
into
each
of
our
courtrooms
and
calculate
the
number
of
people
we
can
safely
have
in
each
one.
Additionally,
they
have
advised
us
with
regards
to
CDC
recommended
guidelines
for
usage
of
these
spaces.
This
process
is
still
on
ongoing
and
will
undoubtedly
require
some
tweaking.
As
we
begin
to
see,
citizens
come
back
into
the
court.
D
Our
course
will
continue
to
utilize
the
remote
technologies
for
processing
cases
in
the
courts
again
consistent
with
Chief
Justice
Beasley
orders.
For
those
cases
that
require
court
appearances,
we
will
be
strongly
recommending
the
usage
of
mass
or
appropriate
face
coverings,
while
conducting
business
inside
the
course.
This
will
provide
added
protection
to
courthouse
personnel
and
for
other
citizens
who
are
inside
the
courts
and
officers.
D
We
likely
have
a
substantial
backlog
from
the
weeks
of
reduced
calendaring
of
cases.
We
will
be
reviewing
the
pending
cases
and
prioritizing
them
according
to
seriousness,
age
and
readiness
to
make
the
most
of
our
time.
Each
day
we
will
be
asking
for
your
patience
as
we
move
through
this
uncharted
space
in
our
courts.
History.
We
will
get
to
all
of
your
matters
as
expediently
as
this
situation
and
all
the
issues
that
come
with
it.
Allow
us
thank
you,
and
we
look
forward
to
having
you
back
in
the
courts
and
taking
care
of
your
matter.
E
E
Otherwise,
you
should
check
with
the
clerk
to
make
sure
when
you
must
serve.
That
does
not
include
members
of
our
grand
jury.
Our
grand
jury
did
meet
last
month
and
it
will
meet
again
this
month
and
next
month
and
will
continue
into
the
future.
So
that
does
not
apply
to
the
grand
jury.
The
Chief
Justice
has
also
requested
that
that
I,
as
your
senior
residents
appear
court,
judge
appoint
a
code
19
coordinator
to
be
the
point
person
with
the
administrative
office
of
the
courts
mark
Shin
Berg.
E
Our
trial
court
administrator
has
been
named
to
be
our
Kovan
19
coordinator
and
mr.
Shin
Berg,
along
with
myself
and
judge
Hill
District
Attorney,
Todd
Williams,
the
end
melton,
our
public
defender
and
our
assistant
county
manager
and
the
director
of
our
justice,
Resource
Center.
We
will
in
our
Clerk
of
Court
Steve
Cogburn.
We
will
all
be
meeting
to
determine
how
best
to
add
capacity
to
our
court
system,
as
in
court
court
proceedings
begin
to
happen
on
a
broader
basis
and
with
increased
frequency.
E
A
few
items
that
we
will
be
specifically
ensuring
are
accomplished
are
the
marking
of
all
public
areas
where
the
public
is
required
to
wait.
There
will
be
markings
on
the
on
the
floor.
All
the
courtrooms
will
be
marked
for
appropriate
social
distancing
to
make
sure
that
there
is
at
least
six
feet
between
any
any
member
of
in
the
in
the
general
seating
area,
six
feet
in
any
direction.
E
The
maximum
capacity
of
each
courtroom,
consistent
with
that
social
distancing,
will
be
clearly
posted
and
again
we
ask
that
the
public
be
patient
with
us
and
understand
that
this
is
a
balancing
act.
We
don't
anticipate
there
being
significant
issues
with
regard
to
that.
The
courts
are
considered
a
critical
government
functions.
So
technically
they
don't,
they
don't
come
under
the
executive
order
requiring
social
requiring
the
minimum
numbers
to
maximum
numbers
together.
E
However,
I
would
tell
you
that
all
of
us
at
the
courthouse
will
make
sure
that
anything
we
do
in
terms
of
numbers
in
public
spaces
will
comport
with
current
public
health
guidelines,
and
those
markings
will
make
sure
that
that
that
that
is
done.
In
addition,
there
will
be
hand
sanitizer
at
the
entrances
and
exits
to
the
all
the
facilities
and
to
each
of
the
courtrooms
individually
and
also
to
any
high-touch
areas.
Also,
all
public
areas
of
the
courthouse
will
be
cleaned
daily.
They
want
to
thank
the
county
for
their
help,
with
that.
E
High-Traffic
areas
will
be
cleaned
more
frequently
than
that.
In
addition,
each
session
of
court
will
ensure
that
that
public
health
guidelines
are
adhered
to
and
that
individuals
not
be
required
to
wait
any
longer
than
necessary.
We
will
be
establishing
time
slots
for
individuals
on
our
calendars
to
make
sure
that
there's
no
unnecessary
congregating
in
individuals
and
their
attorneys
will
show
up
at
the
appointed
time
so
that
has
proven
very
beneficial
and
an
efficient
I
think
attorney.
District
Attorney
Williams
will
go
over
with
you
the
calendars.
E
If
you
are
on
the
court
calendar,
you
will
be
expected
to
appear
with
our
expanded
courts
in
operation.
Beginning
June
1st.
However,
if
anyone
has
symptoms
of
kovat
19
or
has
a
fever
I
believe
that's
100.4
I'll
ask
our
health
professionals
or
if
you
have
any
other
concerns,
if
you're
at
a
particulars
you
will
be
leniency
will
be
freely
given.
However,
you
must
check
with
your
attorney
and,
if
you're
a
pro
se
individual,
you
must
check
with
the
district
attorney
to
make
sure
that
you
are
excused.
Otherwise,
you
will
be.
E
E
Finally,
beginning
June,
1st
pleadings
and
other
documents
delivered
by
the
mail
will
be
deemed
timely,
filed
if
they're
received
within
5
business
days
of
the
filing
deadline,
and
that
is
an
expansion
of
previous
extensions
that
has
been
given
by
the
Chief
Justice
as
well.
And
finally,
we
will
be
evaluating
how
we
might
begin
to
have
jury
trials
in
person
beginning
in
August
and,
as
judge
Hill
told
you
with
regard
to
the
district
court
in
Superior
Court.
E
That
will
be
done
with
close
collaboration
with
our
public
health
agencies
and
with
stakeholders
in
the
courthouse
to
make
sure
that
jury
trials
are
done
safely,
and
that
would
mean
that
jury
pools
are
handled
in
a
safe
manner
and
that
a
seated
jury
would
be
able
to
carry
out
their
duties
while
attending
to
their
public
safety.
And
that
is
ongoing
and
we
will
have
further
updates
for
you
with
regard
to
that.
So
that
concludes
my
remarks.
E
I
would
just
say
that
if
you
have
any
further
questions,
you
should
go
to
NC
Courts
gov,
their
eyes,
extensive
updates
on
kovat
19
issues
and
how
our
courts
are
working,
and
there
are
a
number
of
deadlines
that
have
been
extended
and
alterations
that
are
normal
proceedings
of
court
that
may
be
of
interest
to
individuals,
so
I
encourage
you
to
visit
that
site.
If
you
have
further
questions.
F
Chief
justice
Beasley's
recent
order
signals
the
beginning
of
a
rest
of
the
restoration
of
more
normal
court.
Courthouse
operations
and
I
want
to
take
this
opportunity.
To
summarize,
where
we're
going
and
where
we
have
been
since
the
emergency
shut
down
or
reduced
operations
of
our
courts
were
ordered,
March
13th.
F
Since
then,
the
District
Attorney's
Office
worked
with
partners
in
the
Sheriff's
Office
and
the
judiciary
to
reduce
our
jail
population
by
up
to
40%,
in
the
hope
that
we
would
reduce
the
chance
of
of
antique
ovid
19
outbreak
and
Buncombe
detention.
We
also
continued
hundreds
of
court
dates
well
into
the
summer
to
reduce
foot
traffic
and
prevent
the
spread
of
kovat
19
within
the
public
facility.
That
is
the
courthouse
and
the
district
attorney's
office
also
dismissed
thousands
of
minor
traffic
tickets
and
other
matters
for
similar
reasons.
F
As
we
move
toward
reopening
or
expanded
operations
next
week,
I
want
to
provide
a
summary
of
what
the
DA's
office
plans
in
regard
to
expanded
operations.
Again,
this
is
just
limited
to
criminal.
Some
of
the
judges
commented
on
civil
matters,
but
as
to
criminal,
expanded
operations
and
district
court.
The
District
Attorney's
Office
will
prioritize
domestic
violence
driving
while
impaired
in
Class
A
1
misdemeanor
offenses
for
prosecution.
If
you
are
charged
with
any
any
of
these
crimes,
it's
the
district
attorney's
offices
position
that
you
must
come
to
court.
F
If
you
are
charged
with
a
non
class,
a1,
misdemeanor
or
felony
that
is
currently
pending
in
district
court
as
opposed
to
Superior
Court.
The
DA's
office,
together
with
the
courts
plan
to
use
social,
distancing
technology
and
procedures
whenever
possible,
to
resolve
these
cases
without
your
physical
presence
without
the
physical
presence
of
the
defendant
in
court.
F
If
you
received
a
June
or
July
administrative
court
date
for
a
traffic
matter
such
as
a
speeding
ticket
registration,
offense
or
another
misdemeanor,
your
case
has
been
rescheduled,
go
to
bunkum
da
org
to
look
up
your
new
court
date.
The
DA's
office
soon
plans
to
add
new
services
to
Buncombe
da
dot
org.
If
you
don't
know,
your
court
date
have
a
question
about
your
case
and
you
don't
have
a
lawyer.
You
will
soon
be
able
to
submit
a
question
through
the
website.