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COVID-19 Resource Center

Information You Can Count On

How can we process traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic?

Faith calls us to protect our loved ones, to protect our neighbors, and to protect and strengthen our communities. We will make it through this COVID-19 pandemic. We have to rely on faith – but wisdom, as well. Sacred text tells us that “faith without works is dead,” therefore we must all do our part and work together, alongside the medical experts and professionals who are working around the clock to help us protect our loved ones from this pandemic.

The PGC COVID-19 Resource Center will help us to do our part to help eliminate COVID -19 in our communities.
Breaking News
Risk Factors
Mask
Vaccine
COVID-19 Guidance
Omicron Variant
COVID Childcare Flowchart
Return To Church

PGC COVID-19 Update
August 12, 2022

The CDC released updated guidelines relative to COVID-19 on yesterday, August 11, 2022. Per CDC officials, these changes are driven by a recognition that — more than 2 1/2 years since the start of the pandemic — an estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from being vaccinated or infected. Another realization is that COVID-19 is here to stay.

Here is a summary of the new guidelines:

  • The CDC and healthcare providers continue to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccinations to protect yourself against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
  • People no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others. It is important, however, to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance. At present, Wake County is in the medium risk category relative to the community level.
  • Instead of quarantining if you are exposed to COVID-19, you should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5 after exposure.

Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19 or if you are sick and suspect COVID-19, although it has not yet been confirmed. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO PGC IF YOU ARE SICK.

  • If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication to control fever, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
  • Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick (persons immunocompromised, elderly, living with chronic diseases) from COVID-19 until at least day 11. You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
  • Screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings. This is most relevant to our school systems.
Masks continue to be recommended only in areas where community transmission is deemed high or if a person is considered at high risk of severe illness. With this knowledge, effective Sunday, August 14, 2022, masks within the church will be OPTIONAL and it will no longer be necessary to check your temperature and do a screening assessment upon entry.

Please know that we will continue to monitor recommendations coming from the CDC, check our community levels, and make adjustments here at Pleasant Grove to keep us as safe and healthy as possible.

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covid-19

FIGHT COVID!!!!

YOU CAN DO YOUR PART!!!!

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Risk Factors

COVID-19 can affect anyone, and the disease can cause symptoms ranging from mild to very severe. For some other illnesses caused by respiratory viruses (such as influenza), some people may be more likely to have severe illness than others because they have characteristics or medical conditions that increase their risk. These are commonly called “risk factors.” Examples include older age or having certain underlying medical conditions.

  • COVID-19 most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet or two arm lengths).
  • People with an “asymptomatic infection” (not feeling sick or showing symptoms) can spread the virus to others.
  • COVID-19 vaccines may keep you from getting seriously ill, or dying, should you become infected with the virus.
  • Older adults are at a greater risk of hospitalization or death if diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Long-standing, systemic health and social inequities have put many people from disproportionately affected racial and ethnic groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.

Latest Information of Masks

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N95 and KN95 masks are better for all variants of COVID-19 if worn and fitted well. They are often a bit more tight-fitting than a surgical mask, and the material also filters out more particles, so the air that goes through the material and not around the mask is filtered better.

The FDA describes surgical masks as a “loose-fitting disposable device” that acts as a barrier between the person wearing the mask and potential contaminants. Surgical masks may or may not meet fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels. A surgical mask does not filter the size of particles transmitted by coughs or sneezes.

A cloth mask is better than no mask, but it is not as good as a three-layer surgical mask, KN95, or N95 respirator in protecting against any variants. When a cloth mask is used, it should be at least two (2) layers.

Visit www.cdc.gov for more detailed information on all topics contained in the COVID-19 Resource Center.

How to Select A Mask

When selecting a mask, there are many choices. Here are some do’s and don’ts. Do choose masks that

  • Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
  • Completely cover your nose and mouth
  • Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps
  • Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask
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Special Considerations
for Gaiters

Wear a gaiter with two layers, or fold it to make two layers

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Special Considerations
for Children

Find a mask that is made for children to help ensure proper fit. Check to be sure the mask fits snugly over the nose and mouth and under the chin and that there are no gaps around the sides. Do NOT put on children younger than 2 years old

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How to Clean Your Mask

Reusable masks should be washed regularly. Always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.

  • Include your mask with your regular laundry
  • Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the mask
  • Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry
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Vaccines and Boosters

Key Details about Vaccines and Boosters

If you are fully vaccinated, booster shots are recommended if one of the following is true:

  • You are 12+ and received your second Pfizer-BioNTech shot more than 5 months ago
  • You are age 18+ years and received a second Moderna shot more than 5 months ago
  • You received a J&J/Janssen shot more than 2 months ago

Which booster should you get?
Most adults 18+, regardless of which vaccine they first received, should get Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA vaccines) for their booster dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only booster available to anyone ages 12-17. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages 5–11 Years

Get a flu vaccine

There’s still time to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t yet this season. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. Find your flu vaccine.

COVID-19 Test Sites

  • Wake County Department of Public Health
    Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Raleigh, Zebulon
  • Durham County Public Health
    Multiple sites throughout Durham County
  • Wake Toxicology Laboratory
    5129 NC 55, Ste. 103 Durham, NC 919.399.1215
    590 E. Chatham Street Cary, NC 919.386.0366
  • Aspirar Pharmacy, LLC
    4401 Ben Franklin Road Durham, NC
  • NextCare Urgent Care click Book a COVID Test near bottom of page
    4100 Wake Forest Road Raleigh, NC
    1110 Kildaire Farm Road Cary, NC
  • Most retail chain pharmacies (i.e. CVS, Walgreen) do not have availability, however, feel free to check. Please also check with independently owned pharmacies in your area. Google: independent pharmacies near me or locally owned pharmacies near me. In Cary, we have identified the following independent pharmacies that are offering COVID testing
  • DJ’s Pharmacy
    4222 NW Cary Parkway
    919.377.0342
  • Bee Well Pharmacy
    2430 SW Cary Parkway
    919.234.1037
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Quarantine: Exposed COVID-19
  • Quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

    Quarantine is a strategy used to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by keeping people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 apart from others.
Isolate: Sick or Test Positive
  • Source: Quarantine & Isolation
    January 20, 2022
    Isolate when you are sick or when you have COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.

    People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, or wear a well-fitting mask when they need to be around others.
  • Source: Quarantine & Isolation
    January 20, 2022
    Exposure: Contact with someone infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a way that increases the likelihood of getting infected with the virus.
  • Source: Quarantine & Isolation
    January 20, 2022
    Close Contact: Someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. For example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes in a 24-hour period.
  • Source: Quarantine & Isolation
    January 20, 2022
    Up To Date on COVID-19 Vaccinations: You have received the vaccine series from Pfizer (2 shots), Moderna (2 shots) or Johnson & Johnson (1shot) AND been boosted.
IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations
  • No Quarantine
    You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.

    Get Tested
    Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

    Watch For Systems
    Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

    If You Develop Symptoms
    Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
  • Take Precautions Until Day 10

    Wear A Mask
    Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

    Avoid Travel

    Avoid Being Around People Who Are At High Risk

COVID-19 Guidelines

Recently, the CDC changed its recommendations for when it is necessary to quarantine or isolate relative to COVID-19. We recognize that this is quite confusing in some regards, however, we want to keep you abreast of what to do should you or a member of your household have COVID-19 or be exposed to it. Please consult your healthcare provider should you have any questions related to your particular situation.

Calculating Quarantine
  • The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days.
IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations
  • Quarantine for at Least 5 Days

    Stay Home
    Stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.

    Get Tested
    Even if you don’t develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
  • After Quarantine

    Watch for Symptoms
    Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

    If You Develop Symptoms
    Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
  • Take Precautions Until Day 10

    Wear A Mask
    Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

    Avoid Travel

    Avoid Being Around People Who Are At High Risk
IF YOU were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test)
  • No Quarantine
    You do not need to stay home unless you develop symptoms.

    Watch For Systems Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

    If You Develop Symptoms
    Isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
  • Take Precautions Until Day 10

    Wear A Mask
    Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

    Avoid Travel

    Avoid Being Around People Who Are At High Risk
Calculating Isolation
  • Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or a positive viral test. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or your test specimen was collected. If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days.
IF YOU Tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status
  • Stay At Home For At Least 5 Days
    Stay home for 5 days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.


    Ending Isolation If You Had Symptoms
    End isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.

    Ending Isolation If You Did Not Have Symptoms
    End isolation after at least 5 full daysafter your positive test.

    If You Were Severely Ill With COVID-19
    You should isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
  • Take Precautions Until Day 10

    Wear A Mask
    Wear a well-fitted mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

    Avoid Travel

    Avoid Being Around People Who Are At High Risk

THE OMICRON VARIANT: Questions and Answers (Q & A)

The Word tells us that The Lord would not have us ignorant. In an effort to continue to educate ourselves at PGC, the Health & Wellness Ministry Team have compiled this information on the Omicron variant.

  • I have heard about the Covid 19 Omicron variant, but what is this new Covid 19 Omicron BA.2 that I heard on the news?

    Omicron BA.2 is one of 3 strains of the Omicron variants, BA.1 is most prevalent and BA.3 is very rare worldwide. The first Omicron BA.2 sample was collected in South Africa on 17 November 2021.

  • Has BA.2 been detected in the US?

    Approximately half of the States in the US have reported the BA.2 strain; however, the BA.1 strain is still the most prevalent in the US currently, at a rate of 95% of the country.

  • How is BA.2 different from BA.1 strain?

    BA.2 has 32 of the same mutations as BA.1, but it also has 28 mutations that are different.

  • Can Omicron BA.2 be detected by the COVID tests?

    Yes, all strains of Omicron can be detected by the Rapid and PCR Covid-19 tests.

  • What is the difference between a PCR and Rapid test?

    PCR tests are considered the most accurate and can be used to detect a small amount of coronavirus genetic material. PCR tests can detect coronavirus reliably early after exposure to COVID-19 even when no symptoms are present or 1-2 days before symptoms occur.

    The Rapid or Antigen test detects the presence of COVID-19 but is less sensitive than the PCR test and can detect the virus reliably 5 days after infection or when symptoms are actively occurring. The Rapid test can also be used to check for whether you are likely to still be infectious, i.e., spread the virus to others. Neither the Rapid or PCR tells you what variant or strain of COVID-19 you may have.

  • How contagious is Omicron?

    Omicron is 2.7-3.7 times more contagious than the Delta Variant. However, the Omicron BA.2 strain is 1.5 times more likely to be contracted than BA.1.

  • Does the Covid-19 vaccine protect against all strains of Omicron?

    Yes, it does. Note that the Pfizer vaccine, for example, reduces the risk of getting the Omicron BA.2 by 67% and that of contracting the Omicron BA.1 strain by 74% in persons that received a booster shot.

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Sources

Quick Guide: Isolation | COVID-19

What to do when a child in your early care and educatin (ECE) program might have COVID-19

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18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
  • When leaving the sanctuary to use the restroom, please exit through the side door only and enter back into the sanctuary through the front door of the sanctuary. This process allows for appropriate social distancing for anyone entering/exiting the sanctuary, and allows us to keep a healthy environment for your safety and those of others.
  • We are loving church, and cannot wait until we’re all able to hug each other again! However, we are not recommending any physical touching, so we ask that you keep social distancing guidelines and refrain from any close proximity and physical touch.
  • The nursery will not be open during service time as of now.
  • If there are any families who plan to attend with small children and would like a designated area for this reason, there will be a separate area set aside where you will still be able to enjoy the Worship Service and hear the sermon. Please just let us know if you would like this preference when signing up to attend our Worship Service.
  • Sign up to attend Worship can be done either by calling the church at 919-363-5198, or by RSVP using the link below by Wednesday at 12:00 noon, starting the week of May 2nd, 2021.

Guidelines

Return To Church

We are delighted to begin welcoming you back to in person worship and can’t wait to begin seeing you all!

We are continuing to follow CDC Guidelines as we return, so we will ask all attendees to sign in upon arrival, and your temperature will also be taken.

For your continued safety and protection, there are important guidelines and expectations that have been established that we would ask everyone to adhere to as we begin the process of coming back to in-person worship on Sunday, May 2, 2021.

  • Please plan to arrive at the church at around 9:30am, in order to give yourself and your family ample time to find seating. There will not be designation of seating (meaning we cannot designate entire sections or rows to any specific family), so please arrive with enough time to obtain the seating you might desire with your family members.
  • Masks are REQUIRED for all attendees at all times, including children over the age of 2, so please make sure to bring your own masks.
  • Please make sure to sanitize hands before being seated/as you are walking into the sanctuary for the protection of yourself and others.
  • We kindly ask that you leave seat markers as they are on the seats and that they are not removed. Please only sit in seats where there are no markers.