Health Archives | Page 2 of 4 | Randolph News Now

Feb22022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Patients Angry At Atrium Health Over New Billing Policies

Health

Health care costs. Stethoscope and calculator ASHEBORO N.C. - Patients are expressing anger and outrage over new billing practices put in place after the Atrium / Wake Forest Health merger. Back in December of 2021 we began to be contacted by local residents who were upset after hospital bills they received from Wake Forest Health were sent to collections while they were still making payments. "The hospital bill itself after insurance wasn't unreasonable" said Susan, who asked we not use her last name, "but there was just no way I could pay the minimum monthly payment of $50 and they weren't willing or able to bring down that monthly payment, so I was paying $20-$30 a month because that's what I could afford" Despite actively paying on her bill every month since July Susan sa...

Jan272022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Health Department Offering Free N95 Masks

Health

N95 Mask Illustration (anuwat/Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO N.C. - The Randolph County Department of Public Health is offering free N95 masks while supplies last. In a press release RCPH said the department is now offering N95 masks for the general public. Each individual will get one pack that includes three masks. One pack per person. These packs must be picked up at the front desk of the Randolph County Public Health Department: 2222-B South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Jan242022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

How To Get Free At Home COVID-19 Tests In NC

Health

At home Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Test (Aliaksandra / Adobe Stock) ASHEBORO N.C. - As Omicron surgers across the United States including here in Randolph County there has been a big push for testing. In North Carolina there are two options for getting free at home testing kits. NCDHHS & LabCorp The state's Department of Health & Human Services has partnered with LabCorp to provide free at-home testing kits for residents of NC. LabCorp is accepting requests for a limited amount of at-home tests. Kits are shipped overnight through FedEx and comes with instructions on how to self-swap and register the kit. After swabbing, you’ll ship the kit back using the included prepaid shipping label and can view your results online, usually with 48 hours. Order LabCorp Kits Online ...

Jan132022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Increased Demand For COVID Testing Amid Omicron

Health

ASHEBORO N.C. - Randolph County is following a nationwide trend of an increased demand for COVID testing amid the Omicron variant. To help the Randolph County Department of Public Health is providing information for local testing sites and clinics. Public Health officials are urging members of the public to NOT go to a hospital emergency department just for COVID testing. TESTING LOCATIONS/SITES Click to download the PDF copy STARMED TESTING SITES RCC-Asheboro - 629 Industrial Park Ave.Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3pm-7pm RCC-Archdale -110 Park DriveTuesday and Thursday from 10am-2pm First United Methodist Church (Asheboro) - 224 N Fayetteville StMonday-Friday 12pm-6pm & Saturday 11am-2pm Pre-register by texting "COVID" to 704-850-6996 URGENT CARE TESTING ...

Jan132022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Red Cross Declares National Blood Shortage Crisis

Health

Blood Donation - Stock Photo (via Unplash) ASHEBORO N.C. - The American Red Cross has declared a national blood shortage crisis amid dangerously low supply levels and dropping donation rates. On January 11th 2022, the Red Cross issued a statement with dire language saying the shortage is posing a concerning risk to patient care, forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait. The statement says blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. “While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like...

Nov232021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

RCPH Scheduling Booster Appointments For 18 & Over

Health

Gorodenkoff / Adobe Stock ASHEBORO N.C. - Randolph County Public Health (RCPH) announced today that they are now scheduling appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine boosters (Moderna and Pfizer) for everyone 18 years of age and older. That announcement comes as state vaccination numbers plateaued and a surge of unvaccinated patients are beginning to fill hospital beds across the state. Officials at NC Dept of Health and Human services say there is need to get vaccinated is urgent. According to the data, North Carolina is experiencing the fastest acceleration in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since the pandemic started over a year ago. "The vast majority of people dying with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. If you are not vaccinated please don’t wait until it is too late," said Ma...

Nov42021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Pediatric Vaccine Available At Randolph Public Health But Parents Hesitant

Health

ASHEBORO NC - Today, Randolph County Public Health (RCPH) announced they are now scheduling appointments for the Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for children aged 5 through 11. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 for children 5 through 11 years of age on October 29th 201. According to the FDA website that authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee. The vaccine’s safety was studied in approximately 3,100 children age 5 through 11 who received the vaccine and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study. Read more about the emergency use authorization and get more info...

Oct252021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Moderna Boosters Now Available To Select Groups

Health

ASHEBORO NC - Today Randolph County Public Health (RCPH) announced that they are scheduling appointments for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for select groups. Public Health will be following the CDC recommendations meaning the following groups of people would be eligible: Individuals 65 years and older, or∙ Individuals 18 years and older who:o Live or work in a nursing home or long-term care residential facility, or o Have a medical condition that increases risk for severe illness (for example, obesity, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes) oro Work in a high-risk profession that puts someone in contact with a lot of people with unknown vaccination status (for example, health care workers, first responders, teachers, food processing workers, retail and resta...

Sep272021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Randolph County Public Health Now Scheduling Booster Appointments

Health

ASHEBORO NC – The Randolph County Public Health announced today that they are now scheduling booster appointments for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The department is following the CDC guidelines which recommends vaccine boosters for the following groups. Individuals 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settingsIndividuals aged 50-64 with certain underlying conditionsIndividuals aged 18-49 with certain underlying conditionsIndividuals aged 18-64 at high risk to COVID-19 exposure due to occupational or institutional setting The Pfizer single booster vaccine has to be given at least six months after the second dose. Those eligible can make an appointment by calling the appointment line is at 336-365-6110 between 8:30 AMand 4 PM.

Jul302021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

RCPH Joins Summer Cash Cards Program As Vaccine Incentives Grow

Health

ASHEBORO NC – the list of incentives is growing for anyone hasn't gotten their first COVID-19 vaccine, Randolph County Public Health announced they will be giving out a limited number of $25 Summer Cash Cards, starting on August 5th. UPDATE: On August 4th Randolph County Public Health announced that the amount of the Summer cash cards being offered has been increased from $25 to $100. (All the same rules and restrictions still apply) To be eligible you must be at least 18 years-old and be getting your first COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re getting your second dose you’re not eligible. Gift cards will also be given to anyone who drives someone to the health department to get the vaccine. Drivers must be over 18 years-old and can’t be getting compensated for the ride (sorry Uber, Lyft,...