BRUNSWICK COUNTY CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (MARCH 24, 2020)

By City of Northwest | March 24, 2020

KEY POINTS

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County’s latest update on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is now available.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County334
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories219
Presumptive Positive Test Results Reported to the County10
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County105

Statistics as of March 24, 2020 at 7 p.m.

As of March 24, there are ten positive cases of COVID-19 in Brunswick County. Public Health identified two more cases since its last update. Both cases are travel-related and are isolating at home. Neither individual returned to the area while symptomatic.

One individual has self-isolated at home with household contacts who are also self-quarantining since March 19. Public Health is working with this individual to identify potential contacts and complete contact notification.

The other individual has isolated at home since March 18 with a household contact whom the County recently identified as a positive case Monday, March 23. Public Health has already identified potential contacts to this individual and contact notification is being completed.

To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.

Public Health monitors all individuals who test positive and any individuals in self-quarantine on a regular basis.

Brunswick County will provide updates on any positive cases considered a low risk for community spread in its daily update unless a serious public health concern requires a separate release.

The County will report any positive cases it receives as positive rather than presumptive positive moving forward based on updated reporting standards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to follow reporting practices similar to the NCDHHS.

“As of this past Friday, we have seen our test reports grow to 10 positive cases and nearly 300 samples taken from people in the County, all of which have some connection to travel,” Health and Human Services Director David Stanley said. “With these developments and the evidence of community spread in other parts of the state, it is more important than ever to all limit any of our public interaction to only those that are essential. This is not the time to take vacations or even visit other cities if we want to reduce our risk of exposure and stop the spread.”

To follow social distancing guidelines and mandates from the state, Brunswick County now requires individuals to call or email county departments for assistance first before visiting county offices and requires appointments for any in-person visits if necessary beginning March 23, 2020.

The State of North Carolina has also made several decisions recently to enforce social distancing strategies. Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order Monday requiring entertainment facilities and personal care and grooming practices to close at 5 p.m. this Wednesday, prohibiting mass gatherings of 50+ people, adding more visitation restrictions at long-term care facilities, extending public school closures to May 15, 2020, and more.

The County will share statistics on the number of test samples and final reports Public Health is receiving in these updates on our website to allow for transparency and efficiency. Tests are occuring in varying numbers each day and results can take several days to process and report back to the Public Health from either the state or private laboratories. Our team is actively responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic and having a dedicated, routine way to share test statistics will ensure we are providing everyone with the most accurate information.

Brunswick County also provides these numbers to the NCDHHS for its case count webpage at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

As of March 24 at 11 a.m., there are 398 positive cases (increase of 101 cases from the day prior), 8,502 completed tests and no deaths in North Carolina.

HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU NEED A TEST

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.

Full details about testing in Brunswick County including information from Novant Health primary clinics and Dosher Memorial Hospital is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/coronavirus/testing/

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

The NCDHHS also updated its guidance March 23 for medical professionals when considering whether to administer a COVID-19 test and more. Full details are available at https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/COVID-19-Provider-Guidance-03-23-20-Final.pdf

The County is operating a joint information center with a Public Health Call Line and email to answer residents’ coronavirus questions (available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). More information is also available on our website at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/coronavirus

Brunswick County Public Health Call Line

Individuals who have questions afterhours are encouraged to use the North Carolina 2-1-1 program or call the North Carolina Public Health Call Line, which has public health professionals available 24 hours a day every day to answer questions.

NC Public Health Call Line (Open 24/7)

  • 866.462.3821

North Carolina 2-1-1 Program

  • For COVID-19 questions, dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162
  • Sign up for updates by texting COVIDNC to 898211

 UPDATES FROM OUR PARTNERS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS

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