Brunswick County identifies eighth positive case (March 23, 2020 Coronavirus Update)

By City of Northwest | March 23, 2020

Key Points

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County identified its eighth positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Monday.

This individual became symptomatic March 13 and was tested March 18; they have isolated at home since their test date. This individual is considered a close contact to a potentially travel-related case. There is one household contact self-quarantining with them since March 18. Brunswick County Health and Human Services team members will monitor these individuals during their self-isolation/quarantine.

Public Health has already identified potential contacts to this individual and contact notification is being completed.

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

The County’s Public Health team also continues to monitor the other individuals who tested positive and any individuals in self-quarantine on a regular basis and all are doing well at this time.

Brunswick County will report any positive cases it receives as positive rather than presumptive positive moving forward based on updated reporting standards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to follow reporting practices similar to the NCDHHS.

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.

Governor Cooper issues new executive order to go into effect this Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Governor Roy Cooper announced another executive order Monday to further social distancing practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This executive order requires the following mandates:

  1. The prohibition of mass gatherings of more than 50 persons.
  2. The following entertainment facilities are ordered to close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, though any retail or dining component may operate within these establishments solely for that purpose:
    1. Bingo parlors
    2. Bowling alleys
    3. Ice skating rinks
    4. Indoor exercise facilities (e.g., gyms, yoga studios and martial arts facilities)
    5. Health clubs
    6. Indoor pools
    7. Live performance venues
    8. Movie theaters
    9. Roller skating rinks
    10. Spas
    11. Sweepstakes lounges
    12. Video game arcades
  3. Personal care and grooming businesses, including but not limited to the following, are also ordered to close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
    1. Barber shops
    2. Beauty salons
    3. Hair salons
    4. Manicure/pedicure providers
    5. Massage parlors
    6. Nail salons
    7. Tattoo parlors
  4. Appropriate local government agencies are directed to continue to exercise their responsibilities, including but not limited to local county Department of Social Services offices, Registers of Deeds, and other local government functions that are required to protect people.
  5. Long-term care facilities must restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, except for certain compassionate care situations (e.g., end-of-life situation). For purposes of the executive order, long-term care facilities include all of the following:
    1. Skilled nursing facilities;
    2. Adult care homes;
    3. Family care homes;
    4. Mental health group homes; and
    5. Intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities
  6. Public school closures are extended until at least May 15, 2020.
  7. The order will be effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

We recognize that this Executive Order will impact individuals and businesses in our communities. We have webpages dedicated to community awareness while Brunswick County works through the impacts of COVID-19 with local offers of assistance, updates from utility providers, food bank notices, business resources and more. If you have questions about any of the listings included, please contact the company/organization directly.

Although the recent mandates and executive orders are difficult, it is important to remember that these measures are essential to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our state and nation and to protect everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations.

It is essential that we all follow these mandates, practice social distancing and remain at home as much as possible to reduce the potential for community spread of the novel coronavirus.

All residents regardless of how young they might be or how healthy they feel need to limit their activities in the public to those that are only essential such as attending work or grocery shopping and should maintain at least six feet of distance from other people.

Individuals who are sick or who are considered at high risk for severe illness should remain home. Based upon available information to date from the CDC, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:

  • People aged 65 years and older
  • People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • Other high-risk conditions could include:
    • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • People who have heart disease with complications
    • People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
    • People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index BMI≥40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
  • People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications

Brunswick County continues to hold daily conference calls with our community partners, including representatives from county leadership, Health and Human Services, Emergency Services, municipal representatives, local hospitals, Brunswick County Schools, and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

Brunswick County Test Results
 

Novel Coronavirus Test Reports in Brunswick County

Number of Test Samples Reported to the County253
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories157
Presumptive Positive Test Results Reported to the County8
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County88

Statistics as of March 23, 2020 at 4 p.m.

In an effort to better address questions from residents and the media about the number of novel coronavirus occurring countywide, the County will post an update on the number of tests that have been reported to the County’s Public Health department in its daily update to allow for transparency and efficiency. It is important to recognize that tests are occurring in varying numbers each day and results can take several days to process and report back to the County Public Health department from either the state lab or private labs. Our team is actively responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic and having a dedicated time to share test statistics will ensure we are providing everyone with the most accurate information.

Brunswick County also provides these numbers to the NCDHHS for its case count webpage at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

As of March 23 at 4 p.m., there are 297 positive cases (increase of 42 cases from the day prior) and no deaths in North Carolina.

Brunswick County continues to receive notices of test samples collected across the county and is actively working through its emergency response plans to further mitigate the situation.

How to Find Out If You Need a Test

Coronavirus tests are available in Brunswick County. If you suspect you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should contact your primary care provider first to alert them of their symptoms and have a physician determine if a test is required and if they provide tests. If your need additional assistance to locate a provider to test, you should contact Brunswick County Public Health for assistance.

Full details about testing in Brunswick County including information from Novant Health primary clinics and Dosher Memorial Hospital is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/testing/

It is ultimately up to the primary medical provider to determine who should get tested. They will consider these symptoms:

  • Those who have fever or lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days; OR
  • Those who have fever and lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and a negative rapid flu test

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.).

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

 Updates from Our Partners in Response to Coronavirus

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