BRUNSWICK COUNTY ADDRESSES QUESTIONS ABOUT TESTING, GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER CONCERNING RESTAURANTS, BARS (MARCH 17, 2020 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE)

By City of Northwest | March 17, 2020

KEY POINTS

  • As of March 17, 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 governor issued an executive order today requiring all North Carolina restaurants and bars to close for dine-in customers starting at 5 p.m. today, March 17; takeout and delivery operations will continue
  • Testing is available in Brunswick County; if you suspect you have coronavirus symptoms, contact your primary medical provider first to determine if your symptoms warrant a test and if they provide tests; contact Public Health if you need assistance locating a provider to test
  • The County encourages residents to follow social distancing protocols and to seek communication options like phone, email, and other online resources to limit exposure to others
  • Remember to seek the most verified information from sources like the CDC, NC DHHS and the County regarding novel coronavirus and the associated level of risk involved

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County is providing a status update to the community on our efforts and recommendations in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

As of March 17, there is one presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Brunswick County. Brunswick County considers and responds to presumptive positive cases as if they were positive, even while awaiting official confirmation of results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Governor Roy Cooper issued a new executive order today requiring all North Carolina restaurants and bars to close for dine-in customers starting at 5 p.m. today, March 17; takeout and delivery operations will continue. A list of frequently asked questions is available at https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/03-17-20-EOFAQ-FINAL.pdf

Brunswick County has a dedicated webpage for countywide offers of assistance, updates from utility providers, food bank notices, and more for anyone who needs help in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. If your organization is offering resources, you are encouraged to reach out to Volunteer and Nonprofit Coordinator Leslie Stanley via email or at 910.253.2589.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TESTS AND TEST RESULTS

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County103
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories80
Presumptive Positive Test Results Reported to the County1
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County22

Statistics as of March 18, 2020 at 4 p.m.

In an effort to better address questions from residents and the media about the number of novel coronavirus occurring countywide, the County will post an update on the number of tests that have been reported to the County’s Public Health department as of 4 p.m. every day to allow for transparency and efficiency. It is important to recognize that tests are occurring in varying numbers each day and results can take several days to process and report back to the County Public Health department from either the state lab or private labs. Our team is actively responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic and having a dedicated time to share test statistics will ensure we are providing everyone with the most accurate information.

Brunswick County also provides these numbers to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) for its case count webpage at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

Coronavirus tests are available in Brunswick County. If you suspect you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should contact your primary care provider first to alert them of their symptoms and have a physician determine if a test is required and if they provide tests. If your need additional assistance to locate a provider to test, you should contact Brunswick County Public Health for assistance.

It is ultimately up to the primary medical provider to determine who should get tested. They will consider these symptoms:

  • Those who have fever or lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days; OR
  • Those who have fever and lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and a negative rapid flu test

Brunswick County continues to hold daily conference calls with our community partners, including representatives from county leadership, Health and Human Services, Emergency Services, municipal representatives, local hospitals, Brunswick County Schools, and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office. The County is also continuing to operate a joint information center with a Public Health Call Line and email to answer residents’ coronavirus questions.

Brunswick County Public Health Call Line and Email Information

Individuals who have questions afterhours are encouraged to call the North Carolina Public Health Call Line, which has public health professionals available 24 hours a day every day to answer questions: 1.866.462.3821.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

As we continue to respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Brunswick County is urging and reminding residents to follow social distancing protocols and seek communication options including phone, email, and other online resources to limit exposure to others and protect yourself as best as possible.

Social distancing means the avoidance of crowded places and maintaining distances of at least six feet from other people to try to deter the spread of the virus. The State of North Carolina has already implemented some mandated social distancing measures, including the ban of mass gatherings of 100 people or more and the minimum two-week closure of all K-12 public schools.

Even if individuals feel healthy and are not exhibiting symptoms, it is important that everyone follow these measures to better protect all our fellow residents, especially for those who have a high risk for severe illness, including those 65 years or older, those with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or those with weakened immune systems.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR RISK

We recognize that the novel coronavirus is a stressful and concerning situation for our residents. During situations like these, it is important to seek out the most up-to-date and accurate information about the virus from the CDC, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and Brunswick County to prevent the spread of rumors or misconceptions about the virus.

The County takes the novel coronavirus seriously and has prepared for its potential impacts for the past two months. We encourage our residents to remain calm and to remember that people who have confirmed COVID-19 and are in isolation, and people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and are self-monitoring, are doing the right thing and helping to protect their communities.

If you believe you might have come into contact with someone who was diagnosed with coronavirus, here is how you can determine your risk for contracting the virus:

  • No Risk: Briefly walking by a person who tested positive for COVID-19 and was not experiencing symptoms
  • Low Risk: Being in the same room as a person who tested positive for COVID-19, had symptoms and you were within six feet
  • Medium Risk: Sustained close contact (10 minutes or longer) within six feet of a person with COVID-19 while they had symptoms
  • High Risk: Close household contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19

According to the CDC, individuals at high risk of becoming ill from coronavirus include older adults and individuals with serious chronic or long-term medical conditions.

At this time, novel coronavirus is currently not widespread in Brunswick County and is still considered a low risk.

This is an evolving situation and the County’s leadership and Health and Human Services team are monitoring it day by day and maintaining regular communications with our local and state partners to provide residents with the most current information.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY PHONE AND ONLINE RESOURCES

Brunswick County offers some in-person services in online formats or over the phone. You are encouraged to reach out to us to see if there are opportunities to assist you with your county-related needs over the next few weeks. A few links and contact information to some of our departments that often have in-person visitors are below. Please reach out us to see how we might be able to assist you in virtual means.

Main County Phone: 800.442.7033 / https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/

Utility Billing

Code Administration

Environmental Health

Health Services

Register of Deeds

Social Services

  • Contact Information: 910.253.2077 / dss@brunswickcountync.gov
    • Please do not email reports of abuse or neglect.
    • If you need to make a CPS or APS report, please call 910.253.2077 during business hours. After Hours call 9-1-1 and ask to speak to the on call social worker.

Tax Office

Veterans Services

  • Contact Information: 910.253.2233

UPDATES FROM OUR PARTNERS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS

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