Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (April 19, 2020)

By City of Northwest | April 19, 2020

Key Points

  • As of April 19, there are 36 positive cases of COVID-19, 32 pending test results and 981 confirmed negative test results, totaling 1,049 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 36 positive cases, 18 are male and 18 are female; 29 are considered recovered cases, five are currently isolating at home and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
  • There are eight cases involving non-residents testing positive for COVID-19 while visiting Brunswick County. Four are considered recovered cases, one has transferred monitoring to their home county, two are isolating at a hospital and one case is a death associated to COVID-19.
  • Answers and information to several of the County’s most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19 and community impact are at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/faq/
  • The Governor’s Stay at Home order is still in effect through April 29: When you do leave the home for permitted travel purposes, always practice proper social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) when you do leave the house and always follow proper hygiene practices at home and in public.
  • For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the CDC recommends they stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. More information about COVID-19 testing and screening sites in Brunswick County is on our website.
  • Information on food assistance resources available to individuals is in the full update below.

MEDIA RELEASE

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

If you are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County reminds you that there are resources available to help you.

Information about food resources, mental health resources, and public health call lines are listed below in this update. A list of community assistance resources is updated routinely at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/emergency/covid-19-community-assistance/

The County also has links to a number of business resources in response to COVID-19 at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/businessresources/

Answers and information to several of the County’s most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19 and community impact are at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/faq/

When you do leave the home for permitted travel purposes such as to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member, always practice proper social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) and always follow proper hygiene practices at home and in public. This includes:

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Staying home when you are sick.
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Following the CDC’s recommendations for using cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
    • The CDC is not recommending medical masks, which need to first go to those on the front lines, including our health care workers. Cloth coverings can play a part in controlling the spread if they are used properly and in combination with other tried and true everyday preventive actions like washing hands and wiping down surfaces.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Here are a few reminders for those who might take part in permitted outdoor activities this weekend and throughout the rest of the month in relation to the COVID-19 situation:

  • All Brunswick County parks remain open to the public at their regularly scheduled hours. All park visitors need to practice social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) and cannot gather in groups—including children, teenagers, and young adults. These measures are necessary to keep each other as safe as possible. The County will continue to monitor the parks to ensure compliance with state mandates and guidelines. Park restrooms are only open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give our team more time to clean the restrooms based on our advanced disinfection/sterilization protocol in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
  • Each municipality legally handles any issues regarding restrictions on beaches and should be contacted directly for information regarding specific guidance and restrictions on visitors. If a municipality allows beach access, all beach visitors need to practice social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) when attending—including children, teenagers, and young adults
  • Governor Cooper is seeking voluntary cooperation from all state residents and businesses to ensure the health and safety of our communities. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved, state and local law enforcement officers have the authority to enforce the Governor’s Order. If you have concerns about actions that might violate the Governor’s Order, you are encouraged to reach out the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction to report activity using their nonemergency phone number. Do not report concerns through 9-1-1 unless it is a legitimate health or safety emergency.

Non-residents who might be visiting here are also urged to self-quarantine for 14 days to protect themselves and others from the virus if they potentially develop symptoms, especially if they traveled from any area in North Carolina, another state (including South Carolina) or another country that has widespread outbreak of the virus.

Following these rules and moderating your activity to only what is necessary is vital to making the Governor’s stay at home order effective and to protect the health and safety of yourself and others. You should also contact your municipality or check their website or social media routinely to see if they have or will put additional restrictions in place.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

As of April 19, there are 36 positive cases of COVID-19, 32 pending test results and 981 confirmed negative test results, totaling 1,049 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 36 positive cases, 18 are male and 18 are female; 29 are considered recovered cases, five are currently isolating at home and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

There are eight cases involving non-residents who tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting Brunswick County, resulting in their contacts having to quarantine as well; these cases are not reflected in the County’s total case counts. Five of these cases are male and three are female. Four of the non-resident cases are considered recovered and the County has transferred monitoring for one additional case to the individual’s home county where they are now isolating; two are isolating at a hospital and one case is a death associated to COVID-19.

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

The age ranges of the positive cases among Brunswick County residents as of April 19 are as follows:

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: 2
  • 25-49 years old: 5
  • 50-64 years old: 15
  • 65+ years old: 14

The age ranges of the positive cases among non-residents as of April 19 are as follows:

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: Zero cases
  • 25-49 years old: 2
  • 50-64 years old: 1
  • 65+ years old: 5
COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG COUNTY RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)36
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories (County Residents)32
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)981
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County (County Residents)1,049
Positive Cases Isolating at Home (County Residents)5
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (County Residents)0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (County Residents)29
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (County Residents)2

Statistics as of April 19, 2020 at 11 a.m.

COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG NON-RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results (Non-Residents)8
Positive Cases Isolating at Home (Non-Residents)0
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents)2
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents)4
Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents)1
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents)1

Statistics as of April 19, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Note: Brunswick County Public Health is encouraging providers in the County’s jurisdiction to continue to report persons under investigation (PUI) at this time, however NCDHHS no longer mandates that the PUI form be completed and sent to the local health departments, which could result in under reporting of test counts. These numbers reflected the information reported to the County from local health care providers.

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 share statistics on the number of test samples and final reports Public Health is receiving in its daily update to allow for transparency and efficiency.

The location of COVID-19 cases in Brunswick County is a frequently asked question. Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 are in isolation in their homes, which are located within the majority of zip codes throughout the county. Brunswick County citizens should assume that community transmission of COVID-19 is present anywhere and take the appropriate precautions. Identified positive cases only represent a fraction of the actual positive cases as not everyone who is sick with COVID-19 are being tested in light of the CDC’s guidance that individuals with mild symptoms are typically able to recover at home without a test.

PEOPLE WITH MILD SYMPTOMS SHOULD STAY HOME

For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends they stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. Household members and people who have been in close contact with someone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home as much as possible for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms. Close contact means within six feet for at least 10 minutes. If they start having symptoms of COVID-19, they should take the same steps to prevent spreading it. Anyone with more serious symptoms should call their doctor or 911 right away. More serious symptoms can include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or blue lips. Remember to always contact your primary medical provider or a site that is screening for the coronavirus first to alert them of their symptoms and have a physician determine if a test is required and/or if they provide tests.

FOOD RESOURCES IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Some individuals and families might need help to ensure they have enough food at this time. We understand that this is a stressful situation for many of our fellow residents—but there are a number of resources and programs available that want to assist anyone who needs help at this time. Here are a few of the major resources available:

BRUNSWICK FAMILY ASSISTANCE (BFA)

The Brunswick Family Assistance Executive Committee voted March 31 to increase the number of allowed pantry visits from once to twice per month. This effort is in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and serves to ensure that no family goes hungry in the county. Additionally, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved a request at the April 6 regular meeting for $30,000 in additional funding to BFA to support their COVID-19 response. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call BFA at 910-754-4766 for the Shallotte office or 910-408-1700 for the Leland Office to set up appointments for pantry visits and other assistance services.

BRUNSWICK SENIOR RESOURCES, INC (BSRI)

Eligible seniors aged 60 or older can request home meal deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays (two hot and three frozen) through the Meals on Wheels program or RSVP for drive-through meal service on select days at a BSRI center/site if they have not already. Contact BSRI to learn more and sign up for either of these services. Find the latest updates and contact information at www.bsrinc.org

APPLY FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES (FNS) BENEFITS THROUGH THE NCDHHS

To help families access food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is temporarily increasing benefits for March 2020 and April 2020 to current Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recipients in North Carolina. All families that receive FNS will receive the maximum amount allowed for March 2020 and April 2020 for their household size. Families and individuals who do not currently receive benefits can apply online with ePass.

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)

The WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program that provides food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to income-eligible women who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are breastfeeding, as well as infants and children up to five years of age. Brunswick County’s WIC team members are providing all services over the phone and can be reached via the following phone numbers:

  • Bolivia Office: 910.253.2288
  • Shallotte Office: 910.253.2878
  • Leland Office: 910.253.2877
COVID-19 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE WEBPAGE

Brunswick County is updating offers of community assistance including other food resources on its website. If you are aware of any other offers or notices, please email Volunteer and Nonprofit Coordinator Leslie Stanley at leslie.stanley@brunswickcountync.gov

LOCAL AND STATE PUBLIC HEALTH CALL LINES

BRUNSWICK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CALL LINE

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

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

The COVID-19 situation is a stressful situation for many of us. There are several resources available should you need to speak with someone anonymously at this time:

  • Trillium: 877.685.2415 (24-hour availability in English and Spanish)
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 800.985.5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (24-hour availability in English and Spanish)
  • Hope4NC Helpline: 1-855-587-3463 (available 24/7)
  • Hope4Healers Helpline (for health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, other staff who work in health care settings and their families who are experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response): 919-226-2002 (available 24/7)
  • More resources are available through the NC Department of Health & Human Services: COVID-19: Managing Your Overall Health

UPDATES FROM OUR PARTNERS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS

BRUNSWICK COUNTY SCHOOLS
BRUNSWICK COUNTY COURTHOUSE

While most courts are closed, the Brunswick County Courthouse Clerk’s Office is open for limited services. The public is strongly encouraged to call in advance, as many trips to the Courthouse can be avoided.

BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
NOVANT HEALTH
  • Online coronavirus assessment tool found at https://coronavirus.novanthealth.org/
  • 24/7 helpline for patients are experiencing symptoms and have questions on how to best seek care: 877-499-1697 or 877-9NOVANT
DOSHER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
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