Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (May 22, 2020)

By City of Northwest | May 22, 2020

Note: Brunswick County will post its next coronavirus update Tuesday, May 26 unless an additional release is necessary to address public health concerns.

The County will still update its COVID-19 test results daily (including weekends) for residents and the media to view at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/alert-ticker/information-on-coronavirus/

KEY POINTS

  • North Carolina will move into Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions beginning at 5 p.m. today under Executive Order No. 141. Certain businesses will be open at limited capacity with other requirements and recommendations during Phase 2 and mass gathering limits will be no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
  • Health Services identified 4 more cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among county residents and 1 case among a non-resident Thursday. As of Friday, May 22, there are now 70 positive cases of COVID-19 among county residents (51 considered recovered, 15 isolating at home, 2 isolating at a hospital, 2 deaths) and 11 cases among non-residents (1 isolating in county, 5 considered recovered, 3 transferred monitoring to home county, 2 deaths).
  • Brunswick County will continue to encourage individuals to use our online services, call/email departments for assistance, and schedule appointments for necessary in-person visits through Phase 2.
  • Brunswick County government offices are closed this Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day. Monday trash and recycling customers will still receive their regular curbside collection as usual. The landfill and convenience sites are closed Monday. Click here for info on who to call if you need assistance with utilities over the holiday weekend.
  • Help protect and respect the health of our fellow neighbors. Follow the three Ws when you visit any public area: Wear a cloth face covering; Wait six feet apart to avoid close contact and maintain appropriate social distancing between yourself and others; Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.

RELEVANT RESOURCES

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – As North Carolina transitions into Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions beginning at 5 p.m. today, residents and visitors need to remain vigilant in their hygiene practices and virus mitigation efforts through Memorial Day weekend and beyond.

Phase 2 does not mean that North Carolinians are safe from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health experts’ analysis indicates that if restrictions are eased gradually with safety practices still in place, North Carolina might benefit from increased economic activity without a surge in new cases that would exceed our heath care system’s ability to respond.

Despite this progress, COVID-19 remains a highly contagious virus, and state officials continue to monitor key metrics. COVID-19 spreads from person to person easily, especially indoors or if people come in close contact (less than six feet apart) for more than ten minutes. If key indicators move in the wrong direction, restrictions could be put back into place.

Phase 2 includes a Safer At Home recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness. Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. The NCDHHS encourages everyone to follow the three Ws when visiting any public area. These efforts work best when they are all practiced together by as many people as possible:

  • Wear a cloth face covering when in public (Make sure both your nose and mouth are fully covered and you are able to breathe normally while wearing it.)
  • Wait six feet apart to avoid close contact and maintain appropriate social distancing between yourself and others
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer while also following other best hygiene practices

Mass gathering limits in Phase 2 will be no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. These limits apply to the following: event venues; conference centers; stadiums and sports arenas; amphitheaters; and groups at parks or beaches.

Certain businesses will be open at limited capacity with other requirements and recommendations including: restaurants at 50% dine-in capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements; personal care businesses, including salons and barbers, at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements; pools at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements. Employees of personal care businesses will be required to wear face coverings.

Childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps will be open with enhanced cleaning and screening requirements. Retail businesses allowed to open in Phase 1 at 50% capacity will continue at that level.

Public health recommendations are provided for worship services to practice enhanced social distancing and other cleaning and hygiene practices.

The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26.

More information about the Governor’s Executive Order No. 141 concerning Phase 2 is available below.

PHASE 2 IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Brunswick County has not implemented any additional restrictions countywide due to COVID-19 beyond those required in the Governor’s executive orders. Brunswick County continues to follow the recommendations and guidance from the NCDHHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Individuals should reach out to their municipality or check their municipality’s website to see if their town or city has initiated or could initiate additional restrictions that overlap with North Carolina’s Safer At Home Phase 2. Individuals should continue to comply with any rules established within their jurisdiction.

Brunswick County’s government offices will operate as follows during Phase 2, unless otherwise addressed in future updates:

  • Brunswick County will continue to encourage individuals to use our online services, call or email departments for assistance, and schedule appointments for necessary in-person visits through Phase 2.
  • Brunswick County will continue to all allow temporary approved telecommuting and/or alternate work arrangements through Friday, June 26.
  • All county staff, visitors, and vendors are highly encouraged to wear a cloth face covering when interacting with others.
  • Brunswick County Libraries remain closed to the public at this time. Individuals can use the libraries’ online/virtual services with their library cards and can check out books for curbside pick-up. Contact a library to learn more about these services and how to apply for a virtual library card.
  • Brunswick County Parks remain open as usual. Mass gatherings are limited to no more than 25 people and everyone should continue to follow best social distancing and hygiene practices while visiting parks. Brunswick County park restrooms will remain open only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow our custodial staff time to clean restrooms according to the County’s advanced sanitation/disinfection protocol due to COVID-19.

Reminder: Brunswick County government offices are closed this Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day. Monday trash and recycling customers will still receive their regular curbside collection as usual. The Brunswick County Landfill and convenience sites are closed Monday. Individuals who need assistance afterhours with their utilities can call the follow phone numbers:

  • 755.7921
  • 371.3490
  • 454.0512

COVID-19 FAQ OF THE DAY

WHAT IS THE GUIDANCE FOR GOLF COURSES DURING PHASE 2?

NCDHHS has issued guidance for the following topics. Guidance can be accessed at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance:

  • Restaurants
  • Salons and Personal Care
  • Places of Worship
  • Large Venues
  • Overnight Camp
  • Child Care
  • Day Camp
  • Tattoo Businesses
  • Pools
  • Sports
  • Retail

See more answers and information to several of our most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19.

More answers to FAQs on the Governor’s Executive Order No. 141 for Phase 2 are on the NCDHHS website.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

Brunswick County Health Services identified four residents and one non-resident who received a positive test result for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Friday.

All four new resident cases are isolating at home with any household contacts, some of which are adults and children. Contact tracing is completed for two of the newest cases and is ongoing for the other two.

The newest non-resident case is a resident of another state who tested positive in Brunswick County. They are currently isolating in the county with one contact who is quarantining with them. Contact tracing is complete for this case. This case does not reflect in Brunswick County’s official case counts as they are not a resident, but the County is sharing information on non-resident cases when received.

As of May 22, there are now 70 positive cases of COVID-19, 48 pending test results and 2,401 confirmed negative test results, totaling 2,519 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 70 positive cases, 51 are considered recovered, 15 are isolating at eight different homes, two are isolating at a hospital, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

There are now 11 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. One of the cases is isolating in the county, five are considered recovered, the County has transferred monitoring for three cases to the individuals’ home counties, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

COUNTY RESIDENT CASES

Gender of Positive Cases

  • Male: 36
  • Female: 34

Age Range of Positive Cases

  • 0-17 years old: 3
  • 18-24 years old: 4
  • 25-49 years old: 14
  • 50-64 years old: 26
  • 65+ years old: 23

Ethnicity of Positive Cases

  • White: 61
  • Black/African American: 8
  • Asian: 1

Hispanic Ethnicity of Positive Cases

  • Yes: 7
  • No: 63
COUNTY NON-RESIDENT CASES

Gender of Positive Cases

  • Male: 7
  • Female: 4

Age Range of Positive Cases

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: Zero cases
  • 25-49 years old: 4
  • 50-64 years old: 2
  • 65+ years old: 5

Ethnicity of Positive Cases

  • White: 10
  • Unknown: 1

Hispanic Ethnicity of Positive Cases

  • Yes: 3
  • No: 8
COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG COUNTY RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)79
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories (County Residents)13
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)2,448
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County (County Residents)2,540
Positive Cases Isolating at Home (County Residents)21 at 13 households
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (County Residents)3
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (County Residents)53
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (County Residents)2

Statistics as of May 26, 2020 at 3 p.m.

COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG NON-RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results (Non-Residents)11
Positive Cases Isolating in the County (Non-Residents)1
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents)0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents)5
Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents)3
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents)2

Statistics as of May 26, 2020 at 3 p.m.

Note: Brunswick County Health Services 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. The County will share statistics on the number of test samples and final reports Public Health is receiving in its update to allow for transparency and efficiency.

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

The NCDHHS has a case count webpage for North Carolina with information on the number of positive cases residing in zip codes. Brunswick County Health Services reminds individuals that zip codes only tell the location of where a positive case resides and does not mean that that is where the individual got the virus.

Most of the County’s resident and non-resident cases are related to travel to or from places outside of Brunswick County, however there is evidence of community spread of the virus in some of the resident cases. There are also a couple of instances where a positive case has transmitted the virus to another person outside of their household who was later tested and identified as a positive case.

Of the 70 identified resident cases, 51 are considered recovered cases, 15 are isolating at eight different homes and two are isolating at a hospital. There is also one non-resident case who is isolating in the county. These isolating positive cases pose a low risk to the public as they and any household contacts are isolated or quarantined.

Everyone in needs to continue to take actions that best protect themselves from COVID-19 wherever they are and should assume that they can be exposed to the virus anywhere—hence the need to wear a face covering, wait six feet apart from other people, and wash their hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitizer frequently.

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. 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.

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

COMMUNITY CARE OF NORTH CAROLINA’S COVID-19 TRIAGE PLUS (AVAILABLE 7 A.M. TO 11 P.M. DAILY)

CCNC’s COVID-19 Triage Plus is a toll-free helpline aimed at answering patients’ COVID-19 questions and helping them find the care they need. COVID-19 Triage Plus staff are local, NC-licensed RNs experienced in care management who will assist any North Carolina resident regardless of insurance coverage or lack of coverage. Through an agreement with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, CCNC will staff this helpline from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

  • COVID-19 Triage Plus Patient Information and Support Line: 1.877.490.6642

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:

Find the latest information, case counts, contact information for community partners and food resources in Brunswick County on our Latest Information on Coronavirus webpage.

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