East Wake Times

Mobile physician practice Halo Health provided free antibody testing this week to healthcare workers and first responders at the forefront of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We're trying to give back to the community, to the people who've been on the front lines taking care of all our sick patients,” Dr. Dan Minior, co-founder and chief medical officer of Halo Health Mobile, told ABC11 WTVD on April 13. ”We're trying to let them get some answers as to whether or not they have had COVID-19 and hopefully this will help set their mind at ease.”

The Raleigh-based health care company offered drive-thru testing in an empty parking lot in Cameron Village, according to the news report. The antibody testing uses a blood test to determine whenever an individual has been infected with COVID-19 and if they have immunity to the virus.

To continue to protect community members from COVID-19, Wake County officials extended the local stay-at-home order until April 30. 

“While we're making good progress to flatten the COVID-19 curve in our community, we haven't hit our peak caseload yet, so it's too early to lift our stay-at-home restrictions,” Wake County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Ford said in a press release on Friday. “However, we understand how challenging this is — particularly for businesses — which is why this extension includes provisions to help the local economy while enabling us to save lives.”

The extension order will enable retail businesses and its 12 municipalities to stay open if they can provide its customers with delivery or curbside pickup options. The order also allows faith organizations to hold drive-in services if they abide by social distancing requirements such as having at least six feet of separation between the sides of vehicles.

Gov. Roy Cooper said the lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions must be done gradually and people will have to adjust to a new way of life.

“In our new normal, you may see more people wearing masks or getting their temperature checked,” Cooper said at a media briefing, according to ABC11. “Sporting events may have no in-person crowds. A new normal can get us back to work, back to school and back to play but in a new way for a while.”