'Help is on the way:' Durham announces arrival of quality masks, at-home tests, new testing sites

Officials reminded viewers that the county remains under a state of emergency to prevent the spread of COVID, and masking indoors is still required in Durham County.

“We still need to mask. Everyone, even if you are vaccinated, should wear a mask in public indoor spaces. If possible wear a medical-grade mask, such as KN-95s and N-95s," said Health Director Rod Jenkins.

To help ensure everyone has access to quality masks, local health departments and school districts will be receiving boxes of durable masks.

“They have already shared their delivery schedule, and we are estimated to receive 60,000 masks that will be divided between ourselves and the Durham County Department of Social Services," he said. "We will announce when masks will be available for pick up."

Jenkins said they also aim to have masks available at county-sponsored testing sites.

“Testing has been a source of frustration due to the high demand here in Durham. Help is on the way," said Jenkins.

Aside from the more than 30 locations already available for COVID testing in Durham, including Walgreens and CVS, Jenkins said two additional testing sites would be announced soon.

Furthermore, officials have ordered 8,800 home tests with plans to distribute them while supplies last.

"Our aim is to order more. They will arrive next week, and we cannot wait," said Jenkins.

Health officials recently distributed 1,200 rapid tests at North Carolina Central University in anticipation of students returning to campus.

North Carolina Coronavirus dashboard - Maps, charts and data

According to officials, the seven-day moving average of cases in Durham County is 18 times higher now than it was at the end of November, from an average of 32 new cases a day on Nov. 30 to an average of 564 cases a day on Jan. 4.

Durham’s positivity rate currently sits at 20%, which is lower than the statewide positivity rate of 30% but higher than in Wake, Orange, Chatham and Granville counties. COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions are also on the rise in Durham.

Durham County Health Director Rodney Jenkins recently reminded the community that Durham’s indoor mask mandate is still in place and noted the importance of getting fully vaccinated and boosted.