Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (April 23, 2020)

By City of Northwest | April 23, 2020

Key Points

  • Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the statewide Stay at Home Order is extended until Friday, May 8 to allow for necessary improvements in testing, tracing, and other trends concerning COVID-19 in the state. An additional update will take place Friday concerning current restrictions and closures for schools.
  • As of April 23, there are 39 positive cases of COVID-19 among county residents; the County identified one more case Thursday. Of the positive cases, 30 are considered recovered cases, seven are currently isolating at home and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
  • There are eight cases involving non-residents testing positive for COVID-19 while visiting Brunswick County. Four are considered recovered cases, one has transferred monitoring to their home county, one is isolating in the county and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
  • See answers and information to several of our most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19.
  • More information about COVID-19 testing and screening sites in Brunswick County is on our website.

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County Public Health identified one individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Thursday, bringing the total number of identified positive cases among county residents to 39.

The individual is isolating with other close adult contacts who are quarantining. Contact tracing is currently ongoing.

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

As of April 23, there are 39 positive cases of COVID-19, 24 pending test results and 1,098 confirmed negative test results, totaling 1,161 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 39 positive cases, 21 are male and 18 are female; 30 are considered recovered cases, seven are currently isolating at home and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

There are eight 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. Five of these cases are male and three are female. Four of the non-resident cases are considered recovered and the County has transferred monitoring for one additional case to the individual’s home county where they are now isolating; one is isolating in the county and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.

GOVERNOR EXTENDS STAY AT HOME ORDER TO FRIDAY, MAY 8

Governor Roy Cooper and NC Department of Health of Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen held an update Thursday afternoon to announce that the Governor is extending the statewide Stay at Home Order (Executive Order No. 121) to Friday, May 8 with Executive Order No. 135. The order was originally set to expire next Wednesday, April 29.

The extension to the Governor’s Stay at Home order will also extend the closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and the closure of close-contact businesses that were ordered to close in Executive Order No. 120 until Friday, May 8.

During the update, Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen explained that North Carolinians’ efforts the past month to follow the Order and social distance have helped to flatten the curve of the virus’s transmission and reduce the strain on the state’s health care system.

However, there state still needs to improve in important areas before it can begin a phased approach to reopening all businesses and other operations across the state. This includes an increase in the number of the novel coronavirus tests administered daily, an increase in staffing to support contact tracing efforts, and a downward trend in the number of identified positive cases, the number of tests administered, and the number of hospitalizations in the state across a 14-day period.

More information about North Carolina’s executive orders and the NCDHHS’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic is at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid19

Another statewide update will take place Friday afternoon to address topics concerning school closures and education in North Carolina due to COVID-19.

Information about other food resources, mental health resources, and public health call lines are listed below in this update. A list of community assistance resources is updated routinely at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/emergency/covid-19-community-assistance/

The County also has links to a number of business resources in response to COVID-19 at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/businessresources/

When you do leave the home for permitted travel purposes, always practice proper social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) when you do leave the house and always follow proper hygiene practices at home and in public.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS

The age ranges of the positive cases among Brunswick County residents as of today are as follows:

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: 2
  • 25-49 years old: 5
  • 50-64 years old: 17
  • 65+ years old: 15

The age ranges of the positive cases among non-residents as of today are as follows:

  • 0-17 years old: Zero cases
  • 18-24 years old: Zero cases
  • 25-49 years old: 2
  • 50-64 years old: 1
  • 65+ years old: 5
COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG COUNTY RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)39
Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories (County Residents)24
Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents)1,098
Number of Test Samples Reported to the County (County Residents)1,161
Positive Cases Isolating at Home (County Residents)7
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (County Residents)0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (County Residents)30
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (County Residents)2

Statistics as of April 23, 2020 at 11 a.m.

COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG NON-RESIDENTS
Positive Test Results (Non-Residents)8
Positive Cases Isolating in the County (Non-Residents)1
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents)0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents)4
Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents)1
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents)2

Statistics as of April 23, 2020 at 11 a.m.

Note: Brunswick County Public 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.

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.

The location of COVID-19 cases in Brunswick County is a frequently asked question. 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. Brunswick County citizens should assume that community transmission of COVID-19 is present anywhere and take the appropriate precautions. 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some answers to Public Health’s most frequently asked questions the past few days. See more answers to top questions and more information at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/faq/

ARE DRIVE-IN OR DRIVE-BY WORSHIP SERVICES ALLOWED?

Per a letter from Governor Cooper regarding drive-in worship services convened in open-air areas: “I trust law enforcement’s judgment in directing people to abide by local and state health department guidance. These kinds of gatherings appear to be acceptable as long as individuals remain in their vehicles and avoid contact.”

It is the NC Association of Sheriff’s understanding that the same analysis used for drive-in worship services applies equally to drive-by worship services. Drive-by worship services may be held regardless of the total number of people or total number of vehicles. However, individuals must remain in their vehicles and avoid contact with other persons by observing “social distancing requirements,” specifically to include “maintaining at least six (6) feet distancing from other individuals” who are in other vehicles or elsewhere.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL RECOVERY FROM COVID-19?

A positive case is considered recovered when they have been fever-free for at least three days without the use of fever-reducing medication, they have improved respiratory symptoms, and at least seven days have passed since their symptoms started.

I’M A RECOVERED COVID-19 PATIENT. HOW CAN I DONATE PLASMA?

Recovered COVID-19 patients who want to donate plasma should fill out and submit the American Red Cross’ Convalescent Plasma COVID-19 Donor Request Form online. Once Red Cross determines you are eligible to donate, they will send your contact information to a collection site near you, which might be a non-Red Cross site, to schedule your donation.

WHAT DOES A COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATH MEAN?

A COVID-19 associated death is defined as a death resulting from a clinically compatible illness that was confirmed to be COVID-19 by an appropriate laboratory test. Note that a person does not need COVID-19 listed on the death certificate. Established criteria from the NCDHHS is:

  • Symptomatic with a positive laboratory test
  • No complete recovery between illness onset and death
  • No clear alternate cause of death

FOOD RESOURCES IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Some individuals and families might need help to ensure they have enough food at this time. We understand that this is a stressful situation for many of our fellow residents—but there are a number of resources and programs available that want to assist anyone who needs help at this time. Here are a few of the major resources available:

BRUNSWICK FAMILY ASSISTANCE (BFA)

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. Additionally, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved a request at the April 6 regular meeting for $30,000 in additional funding to BFA to support their COVID-19 response. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call BFA at 910-754-4766 for the Shallotte office or 910-408-1700 for the Leland Office to set up appointments for pantry visits and other assistance services.

BRUNSWICK SENIOR RESOURCES, INC (BSRI)

Eligible seniors aged 60 or older can request home meal deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays (two hot and three frozen) through the Meals on Wheels program or RSVP for drive-through meal service on select days at a BSRI center/site if they have not already. Contact BSRI to learn more and sign up for either of these services. Find the latest updates and contact information at www.bsrinc.org

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.

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)

The WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program that provides food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to income-eligible women who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are breastfeeding, as well as infants and children up to five years of age. Brunswick County’s WIC team members are providing all services over the phone and can be reached via the following phone numbers:

  • Bolivia Office: 910.253.2288
  • Shallotte Office: 910.253.2878
  • Leland Office: 910.253.2877
COVID-19 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE WEBPAGE

Brunswick County is updating offers of community assistance including other food resources on its website. If you are aware of any other offers or notices, please email Volunteer and Nonprofit Coordinator Leslie Stanley at [email protected]

PANDEMIC ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (P-EBT) PROGRAM

On April 20, it was announced that North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to help families purchase food for children impacted by school closings due to COVID-19. The program provides a benefit on an EBT card to North Carolina families whose children are eligible for free and reduced lunch at school. Families will not need to apply for the P-EBT program. Parents with school aged children attending a school in the Brunswick County Schools district who currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits will receive the additional benefit on their existing EBT card. Parents with school-aged children attending a school in the Brunswick County Schools district who are not receiving FNS benefits will receive an EBT card in the mail with a letter from DHHS explaining how to activate and use their card. Families will receive $250 in P-EBT benefits per child, provided in two installments, with the possibility of an additional benefit if North Carolina schools are closed beyond May 15. Families will be able to use the P-EBT benefit to purchase food items at EBT authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores. More information about the P-EBT benefits including information in Spanish is on the NCDHHS website.

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

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: COVID-19: Managing Your Overall Health

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
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