BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS EMERGENCY MEETING RECAP, CORONAVIRUS PREPARATIONS UPDATE (MARCH 15, 2020)

By City of Northwest | March 15, 2020

Key points and reminders

  • As of March 15, there is one presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus in Brunswick County; this individual has been under self-isolation since March 11 and is receiving regular check-ins from the County’s Public Health team
  • The Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting March 15 to discuss topics such as adjustments to county employee work schedules, budget calendar amendments, well workforce protocol and budget calendar amendments
  • The Brunswick County Goal Workshop scheduled for March 16 at 1 p.m. is rescheduled to April 6 at 9 a.m.
  • The regular Brunswick County Board of Commissioners meeting for March 16 at 6 p.m. will still occur as scheduled; the County will monitor attendance levels to ensure compliance with the governor’s mandatory rules on mass gatherings; individuals who are sick or at a high risk for severe illness should not attend
  • BSRI senior centers close for public activities beginning March 16; Meals on Wheels home delivery service continues as usual and drive-thru meal services at centers start March 16
  • County offices, parks and libraries will remain open as usual at this time; County encourages you to practice social distancing (approximately six feet from other people) if visiting and to stay home if you are sick or at high risk for severe illness
  • All county-organized library and Cooperative Extension events are suspended and all park activities and programs are canceled effective immediately

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met for an emergency meeting Sunday, March 15 to discuss additional preparations and proactive measures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The emergency meeting took place at the Brunswick County Government Complex to discuss opportunities and solutions to solve potential staffing concerns among county employees and other protective efforts to support social distancing and best hygiene practices for staff and the public who visit county buildings.

At this time, all county offices, libraries, and parks will remain open on regular schedules. The County is strongly encouraging the public and its team members to follow the guidelines and mandates that the Office of the Governor issued Saturday afternoon.

The following is a quick recap of the topics of discussion and any action taken during the meeting:

  • Sanitizing of County Buildings: Operations Services will conduct an advanced disinfection/sterilization protocol at county facilities with expanded custodial hours to disinfecting buildings including the dedicated cleaning of commonly touched surface areas and the lobbies and areas where people gather at the consensus of the Board.
  • Landfill – Free Week: The free dump week at the County Landfill is currently scheduled for April 13-18. Staff were directed to determine whether to cancel or postpone the event based on the state of the novel coronavirus pandemic at the consensus of the Board.
  • Adjustments to Work Schedules for County Employees: The Board moved 5-0 to delegate authority to the county manager to work with department leadership to accommodate time-off requests for staff on an individual basis, including the consideration of telecommuting or flexible schedule options.
  • Telecommuting for Appropriate Positions/Classifications: The Board considered this topic in its motion for adjustments to work schedules for county employees.
  • Travel Restrictions: The Board moved 5-0 to extend the time period for travel restrictions on county employees and limiting travel to within the County or neighboring counties for official business to April 6.
  • County Budget Calendar Amendment: The Board move 4-1 to amend the County budget calendar by delaying the County Goals Workshop to April 6 at 9 a.m. Commissioner Mike Forte voted no.
  • Decision-Making Protocol: The Board directed staff to consider what potential decisions might need to be made in the coming weeks concerning the County’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic that would require the Board’s consideration and approval for a discussion at the March 16 regular meeting.
  • Cancellation of Events at County Facilities: At the consensus of the Board, department heads were directed to make recommendations for potential cancellation or postponement of any upcoming meetings to ensure compliance with the Office of the Governor’s mandate banning mass gatherings of 100 people or more.
  • Well Workforce Protocol: The Board reviewed and discussed the proposed well workforce protocol for county staff. The Board moved 5-0 to authorize Human Resources to develop a temporary advanced leave policy due to the novel coronavirus pandemic

The next regular Board of Commissioner meeting is Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m. in the commissioners’ chambers at David R. Sandifer Administration Building at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia (28422).

Although these are public meetings, Brunswick County encourages residents to follow the guidelines and mandates that the Governor’s Office has issued and asks individuals who are sick or who have a high risk of illness to not attend.

Brunswick County will assess the number of attendees to ensure that the meeting does not exceed the mandated rules that ban mass gatherings of 100 people or more. The County will provide an update on the outcome of the meeting on our website and distribute it through our media channels.

All attendees and residents are urged to practice social distancing (approximately six feet from other people) and to follow proper hygiene practices.

More information on the public comment policies is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners/public-comment-policy/

To view the full agenda items and accompanying reports, go to https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/agendas/

More information about the Board of Commissioners meetings is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners/faq/

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For media inquiries, contact the Public Information Officer at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov

CALL LINES AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BRUNSWICK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CALL LINE AND EMAIL INFORMATION (AVAILABLE MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.)
NC PUBLIC HEALTH CALL LINE (OPEN 24/7)
  • 1.866.462.3821

See the NC DHHS FAQs on Coronavirus at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19

What is the County doing to prepare for coronavirus?

  • Brunswick County Health and Human Services has reviewed and modified emergency plans for COVID-19 the past two months with its state and local partners, including local hospitals, Brunswick County Emergency Services, Brunswick County Schools, and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. The department is also sharing memos it receives from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) with local health providers and hospitals that address criteria to evaluate patients who potentially are positive for COVID-19, reporting obligations, infection control guidance, and testing information.
  • The County is also answering local providers’ questions concerning patients with symptoms or travel histories to areas with higher levels of COVID-19 cases. Weekly call-in updates are made with the North Carolina CD Branch, and preparedness meetings with local partners and agencies are also taking place.
  • In the event of a confirmed case in Brunswick County, the County will have a partial activation of its Emergency Operations Center to monitor, share updates, and answer questions from the community.

Has the County closed or made changes to any events or programming at this time?

  • At this time, all Brunswick County offices, parks, libraries will remain open at regular hours as usual. The County is suspending county-sponsored activities at its libraries immediately until further notice. The County is also recommending all outside event organizers hosting events at county facilities or parks to cancel their events.
  • Brunswick Senior Resources Inc (BSRI) senior centers will close to the public starting Monday, March 16 until further notice. Individuals currently receiving home-delivered meals will have no interruptions to their service. BSRI staff will begin transitioning for the closure Friday and are planning for the preparation of meals for pick up via drive-thru or home delivery during the centers’ closures. More information about the coordination of these services will be available in the near future.
  • The Brunswick County Goal Workshop scheduled for March 16 at 1 p.m. is rescheduled to April 6 at 9 a.m.
  • The regular Brunswick County Board of Commissioners meeting for March 16 at 6 p.m. will still occur as scheduled; the County will monitor attendance levels to ensure compliance with the governor’s mandatory rules on mass gatherings; individuals who are sick or at a high risk for severe illness should not attend

Are there any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Brunswick County?

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

  • First, call your private practice and inform them about your symptoms. You should reach out to your primary care provider first before traveling to their site to alert them of your symptoms so they can make appropriate steps to protect you and others.
  • Local area hospitals may have implemented restricted visitation or other requirements at their sites. You should reach out to your primary care provider first.
  • According to the CDC, patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include fever (100.5 degrees Fahrenheit), cough, and shortness of breath.

Are there COVID-19 tests available in Brunswick County?

  • Yes, tests have been available the past two weeks. Tests became available through private labs one week ago, and NC DHHS has authorized private practices to order tests through these labs. Call your primary care provider first before arriving to the site to discuss your symptoms to determine whether you need a COVID-19 test.

HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES

Residents can find information and receive updates from the County as they are issued a number of ways:

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