Topics Related to Public Health

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will get his fall flu and COVID-19 vaccines on Friday at Health Park Pharmacy in Raleigh. Secretary Kinsley will get both vaccines at 10:30 a.m. and hold a brief media availability after.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced free well disinfection and well water collection kits are available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Local health departments in western North Carolina will distribute kits for households with private wells that were flooded or damaged by the storm.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how seasonal vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, help protect communities against severe illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications. Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, NCDHHS and participants will also share health-related information and resources available to support Hispanic and Latino communities during disaster recovery.

READOUT — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley traveled to Henderson and Buncombe counties Thursday to survey damage and meet with people impacted by Hurricane Helene. Secretary Kinsley was joined by Senators Jim Burgin and Julie Mayfield and began the day meeting with people who have relocated to one of the state-operated shelters in Fletcher, N.C. The group then traveled to the Henderson County Department of Public Health and spoke to Health Director Dave Jenkins and Social Services Director Lorie Horne. The visit to Henderson County concluded with a stop by the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Center in the Blue Ridge Commons Shopping Center. Beginning tomorrow, people impacted by Hurricane Helene who are not currently an FNS participant will be able to apply for assistance to buy food for their families.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2024-25 flu season. An adult in the Charlotte metropolitan area died due to complications of influenza during the second week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — As cooler weather arrives in western North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services urges individuals, families and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to take safety precautions when heating homes, buildings or other enclosed spaces.

READOUT — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley traveled with Governor Roy Cooper Friday to Transylvania and Henderson Counties. He first stopped at Pisgah Fish Camp in Pisgah Forest, a family-owned restaurant and landmark in Transylvania County badly damaged by Hurricane Helene. Secretary Kinsley spoke to the owner Mike Hawkins and visited with elected officials including Jaime Laughter, the Transylvania County Manager and Lisa Fletcher, the Superintendent of Schools. Transylvania Schools and Blue Ridge Community College will resume classes and reopen on Monday, Oct. 14. Secretary Kinsley concluded his visit in Transylvania County with a stop at pharmaceutical company Pisgah Labs, a major employer in the area. In Henderson County, the Secretary first stopped at the NC National Guard Warehouse and Operations Center and then toured the damage in Henderson County with Fletcher Mayor, Preston Blakely.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with restaurants and food establishments impacted by Hurricane Helene to help them reopen and feed their communities.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging western North Carolinians who rely on a private well for their drinking water and were impacted by Hurricane Helene to continue to use bottled, boiled or treated water until private wells can be disinfected and tested for dangerous bacteria. Safety measures and precautions are also needed for septic systems that have been impacted by the storm before returning to use.

READOUT — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley toured Mitchell and Yancey counties with Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday, surveying storm damage, meeting with community members and thanking first responders at the Burnsville and Spruce Pine fire departments. The trip concluded with a visit to Sibelco Quartz Mine, a top employer of Mitchell County with about 500 employees. While speaking with members of the media, the Secretary shared updates from the department’s work in collaboration with local, state and federal partners to get the needed care and resources to the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Helene.