BRUNSWICK COUNTY NOTIFIES NEW HANOVER COUNTY, ILM, PUBLIC ABOUT TRAVEL HISTORY OF INDIVIDUAL WITH PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS CASE

By City of Northwest | March 14, 2020

Read earlier release connected to this story: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/brunswick-county-identifies-first-presumptive-case-of-novel-coronavirus/

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County notified its partners at New Hanover County and Wilmington International Airport (ILM) today about a Brunswick County resident who flew into ILM Tuesday, March 10 and was later identified as the first presumptive positive test result for novel coronavirus in the County late Friday, March 13. This individual remains under self-isolation since their test was completed and appears to be doing well and improving at this time.

The counties and airport are sharing available information with the public for transparency and guidance on our next steps. Specific flight information cannot be shared at this time to protect the individual’s privacy.

In the next few days, local public health teams and the NC Department of Health and Human Services staff will reach out to any flyers who were within six feet of the individual on the flight. These travelers who are contacted could be asked to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms.

As Brunswick County reported earlier, the individual traveled to Louisiana, where they became symptomatic while there. This individual was still symptomatic on their return. After arriving at ILM, this individual used their personal vehicle to return to their home in Brunswick County and did not make any additional stops in neither New Hanover or Brunswick counties on their route. On the following day (Wednesday, March 11), the individual contacted their primary medical provider from home and then traveled to their facility where the test was conducted. This individual then returned home for self-isolation where they have remained since.

There is one adult contact in the home who has been self-quarantining with the individual and neither has direct contact with children. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.

More information from New Hanover County and ILM is available at https://news.nhcgov.com/news-releases/2020/03/new-hanover-county-ilm-officials-issue-statement-about-recent-traveler/

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AT THIS TIME

Only travelers who are contacted in the next few days could be advised to take action. Brunswick County encourages our residents to remain calm and seek the most accurate and up-to-date information about coronavirus from the County, the NC DHHS, and the CDC. This incident remains an isolated case, and novel coronavirus is currently not widespread in Brunswick County and is still considered a low risk.

County team members are continuing to check in with the individual to track their symptoms and will continue to keep the public informed should additional information become available.

The County continues to encourage residents to follow the health guidelines the State of North Carolina issued Thursday, March 12, including to contact your primary medical provider if you suspect you have coronavirus symptoms, to cancel, postpone or modify mass gatherings of  100 people or more, and to remain at home if you are considered a person without symptoms who has a high risk of severe illness. People at high risk include:

  • people over 65 years of age, or
  • with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or
  • with weakened immune systems.

The State’s full recommendations are available at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/covid-19-mitigation-measures-march-12-2020

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Because novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, residents should take the same measures recommend annually to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses:

  • Wash 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.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Stay home when you are sick.

Individuals who suspect they might be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider before traveling to the site to inform them about your symptoms so appropriate steps can be taken to protect yourself and others.

According to the CDC, patients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness, typically following international travel to regions with higher confirmed cases of COVID-19. Symptoms can include fever (100.5 degrees Fahrenheit), cough, and shortness of breath. You are again strongly encouraged to reach out to your primary care provider before traveling to their site to alert them of your symptoms so they can make appropriate steps to protect you and others.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC, NC DHHS, and Brunswick County.

Residents with general questions can call the NC Division of Public Health Coronavirus Call Line 24 hours a day/7 days a week: 1-866-462-3821. Nurses and pharmacists from the North Carolina Poison Control are available to answer questions. These professionals are backed by clinical and medical toxicologists and who have been trained in responding with up-to-date information to a host of questions about coronavirus.

Brunswick County also has a Public Health Call Line and email dedicated to coronavirus questions. At this time, the call line is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions submitted over the weekend will be handled by the next business day.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CALL LINE AND EMAIL INFORMATION

Residents can find information and receive updates from the County as they are issued a number of ways:

More information is also available on the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, the NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and on the County’s website at https://brunswickcountync.gov/coronavirus.

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