Brunswick County Coronavirus Update (March 29, 2020)

Key Points

• As of March 29, there are 12 positive cases of COVID-19, 309 pending test results, and 219 confirmed negative test results in Brunswick County, totaling 540 administered tests so far.
• The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security.
• Travelers returning after domestic travel from areas with widespread community transmission, cruise ships, riverboats, or by air travel should self-quarantine at home for 14 days after returning.
• Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. and orders people in the state to stay at home for thirty days and reduces the size of gatherings to no more than 10 people. The Order provides for essential businesses to continue to operate while prioritizing social distancing measures.
• For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the 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. Download: COVID-19: What to Do If You Feel Sick (PDF)
• Brunswick County now requires individuals to contact county departments via phone or email first and to schedule appointments for in-person visits if necessary to support social distancing for our residents and team members.
• Testing is available in Brunswick County; if you suspect you have coronavirus symptoms, contact your primary medical provider first to determine if your symptoms warrant a test and if they provide tests; contact Public Health if you need assistance locating a provider to test.

MEDIA RELEASE

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

As of March 29, there are 12 positive cases of COVID-19, 309 pending test results, and 219 confirmed negative test results in Brunswick County, totaling 540 administered tests so far.

Public Health monitors all individuals who test positive and any individuals in self-quarantine on a regular basis.

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. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has developed a new fact sheet to help North Carolinians know what to do if they are sick.

The updated guidance is intended to slow the spread of the virus. When people with mild illness leave their homes to get tested, they could expose themselves to COVID-19 if they do not already have it. If they do have COVID-19, they can give it to someone else, including people who are high risk and health care providers who will be needed to care for people with more severe illness. In addition, because there is no treatment for COVID-19, a test will not change what someone with mild symptoms will do. Learn more at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/people-mild-symptoms-should-stay-home-0

More information about testing in Brunswick County is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/testing/

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 to allow for transparency and efficiency. Tests occur in varying numbers each day and results can take several days to process and report back to the Public Health from either the state or private laboratories. Our team is actively responding to the novel coronavirus pandemic and having a dedicated, routine way to share test statistics will ensure we are providing everyone with the most accurate information.

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

Due to extensive community transmission of COVID -19 in the area, the CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately. This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply. These employees of critical infrastructure, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules. The Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory.

All individuals are encouraged to stay home, avoid crowded places, and refrain from non-essential travel in compliance with Executive Order No. 121 and the CDC and NCDHHS guidance on travel.

Travelers returning to Brunswick County after domestic travel from areas with widespread community transmission, cruise ships, riverboats, or by air travel should stay home for 14 days after returning. Take the following steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing for 14 days after you leave the affected area:

• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever (temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher); watch for other symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath
• Stay home and avoid contact with others; do not go to work or school during this 14-day period
• Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares
• Avoid crowded places and limit your activities in public
• Stay six feet (about two arms lengths) away from others

New Executive Order No. 121 goes into effect this Monday at 5 p.m.

Governor Roy Cooper ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. and reduces the size of gatherings to 10 people. The Order provides for essential businesses to continue to operate while prioritizing social distancing measures. The Order has the force of law and will be enforced in all 100 counties statewide.

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. The Governor’s full order is available HERE

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 adjusted its operations this past Monday to require 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. The county manager is continuing to work department leadership to accommodate time-off requests for staff on an individual basis, including the consideration of telecommuting or flexible schedule options.

County libraries and BSRI senior centers/sites remain closed to the public with staff available to assist individuals over phone and emails. BSRI continues to offer home delivery and drive-through meal services.

All Brunswick County parks remain open to the public at their regularly scheduled hours. Per the Order, public playground equipment may increase spread of COVID-19 and will be closed. Park restrooms are now only open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give our team more time to clean the restrooms based on our advanced disinfection/sterilization protocol in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

All park visitors need to practice social distancing (approximately six feet between you and others) and cannot gather in groups greater than 10 in compliance with Executive Order No. 121 and previous NCDHHS guidance—including children, teenagers, and young adults. These measures are necessary to keep each other as safe as possible. The County will continue to monitor the parks to ensure compliance with state mandates and guidelines.

Unless noted in the order, previous closures and orders stand as written as do local government orders in cities and counties. Frequently Asked Questions about the Order can be found HERE

If you do not think your business is included in the essential services list, and you think it should be, you may apply online at the NC Department of Revenue to be designated essential HERE. Until your exemption is reviewed, you may operate as long as your business can accommodate social distancing in your workplace.

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

Brunswick County Public Health Call Line

• Phone: 910.253.2339
• Email: coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov

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
  • Updates on Coronavirus Impacts on Brunswick County Schools
  • Online Educational Resources/Video Tutorials
• 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.
    • Contact Information: (910) 253-3900 / Brunswick County Courthouse Website
    • Filings can be mailed to: Clerk of Court / 310 Government Center Dr, Unit 1 / Bolivia NC 28422
  • NC Courts Coronavirus Updates
• Brunswick Community College
  • BCC’s Precautions and Response to COVID-19
• 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
  • COVID-19 Patient/Community Information

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For media inquiries, contact the Public Information Officer at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov

County Contact Information & Virtual Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Brunswick County is urging individuals to call or email all county departments for assistance first before visiting county offices and will require appointments for in-person visits beginning March 23, 2020. See a full list of contact information for each department, information on their virtual services and impacts due to COVID-19 on our website.

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