Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (May 28, 2020)

By City of Northwest | May 28, 2020

Next update: Tuesday, June 2, unless an additional release is required. Brunswick County updates its COVID-19 case counts daily (including weekends) for residents and the media to view at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/alert-ticker/information-on-coronavirus/

KEY POINTS

  • As of Thursday, May 28, there are now 83 positive cases of COVID-19 among county residents (55 considered recovered, 22 isolating at 15 different homes, 4 isolating at a hospital, 2 deaths) and 11 cases among non-residents (6 considered recovered, 3 transferred monitoring to home county, 2 deaths).
  • Some of Brunswick County’s most recent positive cases are household contacts to previously reported cases. Make efforts to follow proper social distancing and hygiene practices and limit your travel when possible to best protect yourself and others.
  • Continue to monitor your health and watch for any of these COVID-19 symptoms: cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
  • Testing is available in Brunswick County for both insured and uninsured Learn more about the NCDHHS’ recent guidance on who should be tested.
  • COVID-19 remains a highly contagious virus. Follow the three Ws when you visit any public area to prevent the spread of the virus and respect one another’s health: 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. – Brunswick County Health Services identified two more positive cases of residents who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since Tuesday, bringing the total number of positive resident cases to 81 (55 are considered recovered).

“We are starting to see a trend among some of our most recent, positive cases being a younger population in the 25 to 49-year-old age group,” Health and Human Services Director David Stanley said. “That’s why it is so important to follow guidance to socially distance when in public and avoid unnecessary travel if possible to protect yourself and those you live with.”

Individuals at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include those who are 65 years or older, those have underlying health conditions (i.e., heart/lung/kidney disease, diabetes, weakened immune system, etc.), or those who are household contacts to a positive case.

The NCDHHS found that more than half of North Carolina’s residents are considered at higher risk for severe illness because they are either 65 or older, have at least one underlying health condition, or both. In 2018, 27 percent of people 18–24, 36 percent of people 25–49, 49 percent of people 50–64 and 56 percent of people 65 and older had at least one underlying health condition that is a risk factor for serious illness from COVID-19.

As of May 28, the number of positive resident cases among those in the 25-49 years, 50-64 years, and 65 years and older categories only differ between one to three cases.

“As we continue to progress through North Carolina’s Phase 2, continue to monitor your health and be aware of COVID-19 symptoms,” Stanley said. “Individuals should always stay home if they are ill to recover and reduce the potential for spreading this virus.”

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste or smell

This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. 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.

It is ultimately up to the primary medical provider to determine who should get tested, however the NCDHHS issued updated guidance on who should be tested for COVID-19. The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.

The new guidance recommends clinicians ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:

  • Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
  • Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms
  • Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
  • Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions)
  • Persons who come from historically marginalized populations
  • Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
  • Front-line and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain

Learn more about this new guidance on the NCDHHS website.

If you do not have a primary care provider or your provider does not offer tests, Brunswick County has a list of sites screening for COVID-19 tests for both insured and uninsured individuals. Remember to always contact these sites first to alert them of their symptoms so they can provide proper guidance and make preparations to best protect you and their staff.

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

More information about the Governor’s Executive Order No. 141 concerning Phase 2 is available below. The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26.

See answers and information to several of Brunswick County’s most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19.

As a reminder, Brunswick County has not initiated any additional restrictions beyond those found in the Governor’s executive orders. All 100 counties must follow the Governor’s Executive Order No. 141. You are encouraged to reach out to your municipality to see if they have any additional restrictions in place that should be followed in their jurisdiction.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

Brunswick County updates its case counts on its website daily. Find this information any time at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/alert-ticker/information-on-coronavirus/

As of May 28, there are now 83 positive cases of COVID-19, 28 pending test results and 2,467 confirmed negative test results, totaling 2,578 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 83 positive cases, 55 are considered recovered, 22 are isolating at 15 different homes, four are isolating at a hospital, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

There are 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. Six are considered recovered, the County has transferred monitoring for three cases to the individuals’ home counties, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

Isolated positive cases pose a low risk to the public as they and any household contacts are isolated or quarantined. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be release.

COUNTY RESIDENT CASES
GENDER OF POSITIVE CASES
  • Male: 43
  • Female: 40
AGE RANGE OF POSITIVE CASES
  • 0-17 years old: 5
  • 18-24 years old: 5
  • 25-49 years old: 23
  • 50-64 years old: 26
  • 65+ years old: 24
ETHNICITY OF POSITIVE CASES
  • White: 72
  • Black/African American: 10
  • Asian: 1
HISPANIC ETHNICITY OF POSITIVE CASES
  • Yes: 15
  • No: 68
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)83
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories (County Residents)28
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)2,467
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County (County Residents)2,578
Positive Cases Isolating at Home (County Residents)22 at 15 households
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (County Residents)4
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (County Residents)55
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (County Residents)2

Statistics as of May 28, 2020 at 5 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)0
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents)0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents)6
Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents)3
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents)2

Statistics as of May 28, 2020 at 5 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.

Health Services monitors all individuals who test positive and any individuals in self-quarantine on a regular basis. The County shares statistics on test reports Health Services receives to allow for transparency and efficiency.

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.

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.

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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