Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (April 2, 2020)

By City of Northwest | April 2, 2020

Key Points

  • As of April 2, there are 23 positive cases of COVID-19, 225 pending test results and 457 confirmed negative test results, totaling 705 tests administered so far.
  • Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 is now in effect: 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. The order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least six feet apart from others.
  • The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. Travelers returning after domestic travel from areas with widespread community transmission, cruise ships, riverboats, or by air travel should also self-quarantine at home for 14 days after returning.
  • Brunswick County requires individuals to contact county departments via phone or email first and to schedule appointments for in-person visits if necessary
  • The CDC now recommends people with mild COVID-19 symptoms stay home and call their doctor for medical advice.

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

Brunswick County Test Results

Novel Coronavirus Test Reports in Brunswick County

Number of Test Samples Reported to the County705
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories225
Positive Test Results Reported to the County23
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County457

Statistics as of April 2, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Note: Brunswick County 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 one more positive case since its last update, bringing the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the county to 23. As of April 2, there are also 225 pending test results and 457 confirmed negative test results, totaling 705 tests administered so far.

This new case was a household contact of a positive case that had traveled and was identified in the April 1 update. These individuals are isolating at home; there are no other household contacts.

Public Health is identifying any potential contacts with these individuals and contact notification is being completed. None of these individuals have known contact with children in Brunswick County.

Additionally, Brunswick County was notified of another positive case that will not be included in the County’s test numbers as they are a resident of another state. This individual traveled to their second home in Brunswick County while asymptomatic. They later became symptomatic and tested positive while in the county. The positive case is isolated at home and five close contacts are self-quarantining with them. Two of the six travelers are children and all are from out of state.

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

“We need everyone to take responsible, proactive measures and self-quarantine in their home or space if they recently traveled to prevent the potential spread of the virus,” Health and Human Services Director David Stanley said. “If you or someone you know recently traveled to Brunswick County, or you returned to the area following travel from an area with widespread community transmission, we urge you to follow state’s the Stay at Home order and follow the CDC’s guidance for travelers, including its recent advisory that travelers from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut need to stay home for 14 days.”

While all Brunswick County’s positive tests have some relation to travel so far, there is evidence of positive cases due to community spread in the state and surrounding counties already that poses a serious threat to everyone regardless of where they are located or have no domestic or international travel history.

To best protect yourself and others, you are strongly urged to remain at home as much as possible through April 29, 2020, and to limit your travel for only the essentials like visiting the grocery store, the pharmacy, a medical office or for work—even if it is permitted in Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 121.

The Order directs people to stay at home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member. Specifically, the order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least six feet apart from others.

Following these rules and moderating your activity to only what is necessary is vital to making the stay at home order effective and to protect the health and safety of yourself and others. You should also contact your municipality or check their website or social media routinely to see if they have or will put additional restrictions in place.

As per section two of the Order and Executive Order No. 120, essential government operations like counties are considered a COVID-19 essential business or operation. Brunswick County is open but requires individuals to visit the County’s website and call or email departments for assistance virtually first and to schedule an appointment if an in-person visit is required.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the County’s Public Health call line’s most frequently asked questions the past few days:Why do we have to social distance and stay at home?

Answer: This Stay at Home Order will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed by keeping individuals from being exposed to the virus and keeping those who have the virus from spreading it to others. The Office of the Governor has a list of FAQs about the Order at https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/200327_FAQ-SAH-Order_FINAL.pdfWhy are people who are sick not being tested?

Answer: For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends they stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness—such as a fever or cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing—and can recover at home.

You should call 9-1-1 right away if you have these symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Blue lips
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion

If you suspect you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should contact your primary medical 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 Services for assistance. 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

Who is enforcing the Stay at Home order?

Answer: Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-l 9.30(a)(2), the provisions of this Executive Order shall be enforced by state and local law enforcement officers. A violation of this Executive Order may be subject to prosecution pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.30(d), and is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 14-288.20A.

If you have concerns about activity that might violate the Executive Order, you are encouraged to reach out to your local law enforcement agency via their nonemergency numbers unless it is a serious medical or safety emergency, which should always be reported via 9-1-1.Where can I get assistance for food?

Answer: Here are some options for food assistance:

  • 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.
  • Brunswick Family Assistance: 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.
  • Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc: Eligible seniors aged 60 or older can request home meal deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays (two hot and three frozen) or RSVP for drive-through meal service at a BSRI center/site if they have not already. Contact BSRI to learn more and sign up. Information is also updated on the COVID-19 Community Assistance webpage.
  • COVID-19 Community Assistance webpage: Brunswick County is updating offers of community assistance including other food resources on its website.

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

People with mild symptoms should stay home

For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends they stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home.

Household members and people who have been in close contact with someone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home as much as possible for 14 days and monitor themselves for symptoms. Close contact means within six feet for at least 10 minutes. If they start having symptoms of COVID-19, they should take the same steps to prevent spreading it.

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.

CDC Issues Domestic Travel Advisory for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut

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

Travelers returning to Brunswick County after domestic travel from areas with widespread community transmission, cruise ships, riverboats, or by air travel should also stay home for 14 days after returning.

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


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

-30-

County Contact Information & Virtual Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Brunswick County is urging individuals to visit our website and to call or email county departments for assistance first before visiting county offices. The County now require appointments for in-person visits.

Not sure who to contact? Call our main line and we can help direct your calls.

  • Main County Contact Information: 910.253.2000 / 800.442.7033

Link: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/coronavirusupdate4-2-20/

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