Coronavirus: 30 deaths in Buncombe, disproportionate infection in people of color and more – Citizen Times

Bill Campling / USA Today Network; Getty Images(Photo: Bill Campling / USA Today Network,Getty Images)

ASHEVILLE - Thirty Buncombe County residents havedied due to COVID-19, as of noon June 5.

Of those, 25 were residents of long-term care facilities. Buncombe's lab-confirmedcase count of the illness was at 376.

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As interim health director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore spoke about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic onBuncombe County, she asked the community to "keep working together" to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Here are five important takeaways from the briefing:

Mullendore said 80 of the county's confirmed cases, or 22%, have been in black, indigenous or people of color, who make up 8.4% of Buncombe's population.

Additionally, about 90 individuals, or 25% of those included in the county's confirmed cases, identify at Latinxa population that makes up 6.7% of Buncombe.

Tunnel Road had little traffic hours before the Buncombe County Stay Home, Stay Safe declaration went into effect on March 26, 2020. The declaration closed non-essential businesses in an effort to curb the spread of novel coronavirus. (Photo: ANGELI WRIGHT/ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES)

Mullendore said this "uneven impact of COVID-19 illness" is apparent statewide and nationally,where it also is showing up as disproportionate hospitalizations and deaths.

"Structural racism and the inequities it leads to in housing, employment, income, education and other social determinants of health result in these worse health outcomes," said Mullendore.

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She said the county has implemented free testing for COVID-19 with an eye toward these communities, "acknowledging that these populations are disproportionately represented in our service sector and they don't have the privilege in their work settings or have access to employment opportunities that enable the use of teleworking."

Information on locations and schedules of that testing can be found at BuncombeReady.org.

Messages to employees of Aston Park Health Care Center decorate the entrance May 29, 2020.(Photo: Angela Wilhelm/awilhelm@citizentimes.com)

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, Mullendore said Buncombe officials want long-term care facilities to do baseline testing of all residents and health care personnel.

"What we are seeing is that many of these facilities are trying and continuing to make efforts to regularly test all staff and residents based on (CDC) guidance, but unfortunately for some of these facilities, they're running into barriers such as insurance providers who are not covering the cost of testing for their staff," she said, adding that the issue with insurance is"a significant barrier to keeping this high-priority population safe through this pandemic."

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Mullendore said Buncombe has reached out to the state and is working to try to overcome the challenges.

She said long-term care facilities can contact the county "if they need additional guidance or support in their COVID-19 response" at congregantcare@BuncombeCounty.org.

Not everyone is taking Public Health guidance seriously, said Mullendore.

"Some people are asymptomatic and do not know that they have the illness," she said.... "It's important to know that if you are asked by a Public Health communicable disease nurse to isolate or quarantine, it is important that you take it seriously and follow their guidance right away."

Buncombe interim health director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore speaks in a county coronavirus update June 4, 2020.(Photo: Buncombe County)

She said Buncombe has resources for individuals who can't isolate or quarantine at their own residence and urged the community to "remember that in our day-to-day, every contact counts."

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Mullendore reiterated the importance of following "the three Ws":

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She saidits also important to continue staying home when sick and limiting interaction with people outside of your household.

These measures are "not all or nothing," she added. Individuals should just strive to do them as much as possible.

Supporters listen to speeches by local government and clergy leaders before marching peacefully from Church Street to Pack Square Park on June 4, 2020. The march was organized in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis which led to four nights of protest in Asheville. (Photo: ANGELI WRIGHT/ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES)

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Finally, she asked that employers communicate to their workforce that COVID-19 is serious and ask their staff not to come in when sick.

Mullendore said this is "an extremely difficult time for many," adding that itmay place a "particular burden on individuals of color in our community."

"Tending to the emotional and mental health needs of your community and yourself are and important part of public health, especially now," she said."Witnessing this trauma repeatedly affects mental health, especially for communities of color.

"Please check up on your friends, family and community as well as checking in with yourself."

Mackenzie Wicker covers Buncombe County for the Asheville Citizen Times. You can reach her at mwicker@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @MackWick.

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Coronavirus: 30 deaths in Buncombe, disproportionate infection in people of color and more - Citizen Times