Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) has released an online data dashboard with results from a survey conducted in May and June 2020 to assess community prevention and impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey utilized Chatham County’s innovative Community Assessment Cohort, which is representative of Chatham’s population. This survey was a collaborative effort between the CCPHD, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Institute for Public Health and the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health. Key results are now available online at chathamnc.org/coronavirusdata.
“While much has changed in the COVID-19 pandemic between June and today, the responses provide us with useful information that can inform our ongoing efforts,” said Interim Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “The numbers show that the Chatham community has taken the virus seriously and has been practicing the 3 Ws. We are also able to learn about broader impacts of the pandemic, from economic indicators to exercise.”
The survey was designed to better understand the prevalence of COVID-19 and its impacts on the community. Respondents answered questions about following the 3 Ws, a potential COVID-19 vaccine and how the pandemic has affected residents’ lives. Among the highlights were:
- More than 90% of respondents said they were following each of the 3 Ws – wait six feet apart, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly.
- 7 out of 10 respondents planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
- 27% said they have exercised less than usual since March.
- 47% stated the outbreak has posed a “substantial” or “moderate threat” to their household’s finances.
The survey was also used to recruit participants to a separate and ongoing study led by UNC-Chapel Hill faculty to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 in Chatham County over time.