Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (April 8, 2020)

By City of Northwest | April 8, 2020

Key Points

  • As of April 8, there are 29 positive cases of COVID-19, 87 pending test results and 734 confirmed negative test results, totaling 850 tests administered so far. Of the 29 positive cases, 16 are male and 13 are female; 18 are considered recovered cases and one is a death associated to COVID-19.
  • Do not travel or encourage others to travel to and from Brunswick County during Easter weekend or the rest of April to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our county and state.
  • If you recently traveled to Brunswick County from another country, another state, or even another county in North Carolina, you need to take responsible, proactive measures to quarantine yourself and any fellow travelers now.
  • Brunswick County government offices are closed this Friday to observe Good Friday. Friday trash and recycling collection will take place as usual.
  • See a full list of food resources and programs available to those who need assistance in the full update (contact and/or applications/qualifications might be necessary).
  • Stay at home unless you are visiting an essential service or operation (like visiting the grocery store, pharmacy, medical office, or work), exercising outdoors or helping a family member.
  • Brunswick County requires individuals to contact county departments via phone or email first and to schedule appointments for in-person visits if necessary

MEDIA RELEASE

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

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

As of April 8, there are 29 positive cases of COVID-19, 87 pending test results and 734 confirmed negative test results, totaling 850 tests administered so far. Of the 29 positive cases, 16 are male and 13 are female; 18 are considered recovered cases and one is a death associated to COVID-19.

The age ranges of the positive cases in the county as of April 8 are as follows:

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: 1
  • 25-49 years old: 5
  • 50-64 years old: 12
  • 65+ years old: 11
COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County868
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories51
Positive Test Results Reported to the County30
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County787
Recoveries Among Positive COVID-19 Cases18
Associated COVID-19 Deaths1

Statistics as of April 9, 2020 at 6 p.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.

Brunswick County identified three more positive cases Wednesday. These cases are separate from one another. Because of these individuals’ lack of travel history or known exposure, they potentially contracted the virus by community transmission.

Any household contacts are currently quarantining and Brunswick County Public Health is completing contact tracing. Two of the cases do not have contact with children in the county. One case does involve minors who are quarantining in the home, but there is no additional contact with children.

Additionally, the County was notified Wednesday of another non-county resident who tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting. This positive case does not count toward the County’s case counts as they are not from Brunswick County. This individual is currently isolating with four household contacts who are also quarantining. No children are involved.

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

“This is now the fifth positive case involving an individual who traveled here from outside of Brunswick County and had to self-isolate with any of their fellow travelers,” Health and Human Services David Stanley said. “We cannot stress enough that everyone needs to avoid traveling to or from other places, including other counties or cities in North Carolina. We strongly recommend canceling any travel plans you had to visit other areas or invite guests over for the holiday weekend and beyond. There is no reason to risk your health or others’ to this virus.”

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.

See more answers to frequently asked questions and information about COVID-19 at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/coronavirus/

STAY HOME AND DISCOURAGE TRAVEL OVER EASTER WEEKEND AND BEYOND

With evidence of community spread of COVID-19 within Brunswick County and our region, it is imperative that everyone stops traveling or encouraging others to travel and visit during the Easter holiday and the rest of the month while the Stay at Home Order is in place through April 29.

Not only does traveling to and from Brunswick County from other countries, states, or other counties in North Carolina violate the spirit of the Stay at Home Order, but it also places you, anyone staying in your home, and any of your close contacts at risk of potential exposure to COVID-19.

The Easter holiday and spring season is typically the start of an influx of visitors to Brunswick County. Due to the serious nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone should follow the guidance from NC

Even if you own a second home in Brunswick County, you are urged to remain at your primary residence at this time. Even travel from one North Carolina county to another can spread the virus.

At this time, most of the County’s positive tests have some relation to travel outside of Brunswick County so far. If you recently traveled to Brunswick County from another country, another state (including South Carolina), or even another county in North Carolina, you need to take responsible, proactive measures to quarantine yourself and any fellow travelers for 14 days now. Quarantining is essential to protect your health and to avoid potentially exposing strangers to the virus if you start to develop symptoms.

Anyone returning or arriving in Brunswick County after travel from areas with widespread community transmission, cruise ships, riverboats, or by air travel should stay home for 14 days after returning, based on guidance from the CDC and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Due to extensive community transmission of COVID -19 in these areas, the CDC is urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days immediately.

If you are unsure if you need to self-quarantine or you and any travelers with you are alone in the County and need assistance, you are encouraged to call the County’s or state’s public health call lines or inquire with local neighbors via phone or email to see if you can get help. If you have an emergency health or safety issue, you should always call 9-1-1.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED THIS FRIDAY

Brunswick County government offices are closed this Friday, April 10 to observe Good Friday. Friday curbside trash and recycling customers will still receive their cart collection as usual this week. If you need assistance with utilities after hours, call one of our after-hours emergency phone numbers:

  • 910.755.7921
  • 910.371.3490
  • 910.454.0512

The Public Health Call Line and email for COVID-19 questions will also be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. You are encouraged to use the North Carolina Public Health Call Line and the 2-1-1 program for COVID-19 questions over the weekend. Brunswick County offers a number of services online that are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are encouraged to visit our website to see a number of these services. County government offices will reopen Monday, April 13, however at this time we are encouraging individuals to visit our website for services and to contact departments via phone or email first to assist you virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person visits to county offices currently require an appointment.

IMPORTANCE OF WATER AND WASTEWATER ACCESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In these uncertain times, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an urgent reminder that access to water and wastewater services is essential and fundamental to all aspects of life and society. Brunswick County’s two drinking water treatment plants are designed to filter and kill all kinds of viruses including COVID-19. The Environmental Protection Agency mandates through the Safe Drinking Water Act that all drinking water treatment facilities in the United States must be designed and built to inactivate viruses and bacteria.

We also want to remind you to help us maintain and care for our utility infrastructure now and always. This means only flushing human waste and toilet paper down the toilet; even if they are marked as a flushable product, items such as wipes and hygiene products can clog our system and should go in the trash. Also, refrain from pouring fats, oils and grease from food or other products down the sink, as this can also cause clogs and other problems for our system. Thank you for helping your Public Utilities team protect our water and wastewater infrastructure during this critical time.

FREE CLEAN UP WEEK AND SHRED EVENT NOW POSTPONED

Brunswick County has postponed the free clean up week at the Brunswick County Landfill originally scheduled for April 13-18 and the free shred event originally scheduled for April 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunswick County is assessing the situation with the pandemic and will attempt to reschedule these events at a later date.

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.

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: 1.877.685.2415 (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)
  • 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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