Latest Information on Coronavirus

Brunswick County updates its COVID-19 test results daily (including weekends) for residents and the media to view on this page below.

State of Emergency

Brunswick County Board of Commissioners Chairman Frank Williams issued a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

A copy of the declaration is at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executed-SOE-3-24-2020.pdf

Recent County News Related to COVID-19 (Selected Items)

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 requires 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

Brunswick County Case Counts

>> View the Brunswick County COVID-19 Case Count Dashboard (Resident Cases)

Click Image to View the Brunswick County COVID-19 Dashboard

COVID-19 Cases Among Non-Residents

Positive Cases (Non-Residents)	16
Positive Cases Isolating in the County (Non-Residents)	0
Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents)	0
Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents)	11
Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents)	3
Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents)	2

Statistics as of Aug. 9, 2020

County Non-Resident Cases

Gender of Positive Cases

Male: 9
Female: 7

Age Range of Positive Cases

0-17 years old: Zero cases
18-24 years old: Zero cases
25-49 years old: 8
50-64 years old: 3
65+ years old: 5

Ethnicity of Positive Cases

White: 15
Unknown: 1

Hispanic Ethnicity of Positive Cases

Yes: 3
No: 13

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

As of June 26, Brunswick County Health Services will provide data concerning positive cases reported to the health department only. Since late March, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has not mandated that medical providers send reports concerning pending and negative test results back to local health departments, which could result in the under reporting of total test counts and incomplete data concerning COVID-19 testing in Brunswick County. As testing increases countywide, Health Services is primarily receiving information on positive test results from providers only.

The NCDHHS is now reporting data on the percent of positive test results by county on its COVID-19 dashboard. See the latest statistic by hovering your cursor over Brunswick County on the map at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/testing

Note: Brunswick County Health Services 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Positive Case Counts

Why do the case counts on Brunswick County’s website and the NCDHHS case count dashboard not always match?

Brunswick County Health Services and the North Carolina Department of Human Services (NCDHHS) update their case counts online every day. However, because both organizations post their daily update at different times, there could be variances in the counts based on cut-off times.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that all statistics on positive cases on Brunswick County’s website are officially verified through contact tracing and are therefore a more accurate reflection of actual confirmed cases in Brunswick County. The County’s data represents positive cases that have successfully been contacted through contact tracing to make sure the address they provided to the medical provider or that is listed on their driver’s license or insurance card is actually where they are living at this time.

The NCDHHS dashboard reports electronic results from commercial laboratories, which have not been quality controlled through contact tracing yet. Both dashboards serve a role in providing a snapshot of total positive cases in the county and state.

Who gets tested for COVID-19?

It is ultimately up to the primary medical provider to determine who should get tested, however the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) issued updated guidance on who should be tested for COVID-19. The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.

The new guidance recommends clinicians ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:

Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms.
The following groups are some of the populations with higher risk of exposure or a higher risk of severe disease if they become infected. People in these groups should get tested if they believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms.
- People who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp).
- Historically marginalized populations who may be at higher risk for exposure.
- Frontline and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, child care workers, construction sites, processing plants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
- Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military).
- People who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions).
People who have attended protests, rallies, or other mass gatherings could have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or could have exposed others. Testing should be considered for people who attended such events, particularly if they were in crowds or other situations where they couldn’t practice effective social distancing.

If a person gets tested for COVID-19 more than once and receives multiple positive results, are all those positive reports counted in the overall positive case count total?

No. Licensed medical providers and labs report positive cases. Every positive case gets a unique number tied to the individual’s demographic data—this prevents duplicative positive cases from being reported. While the public is not privy to identifiable individual health care information, health care providers are privy to that information, which eliminates duplicate reporting of positive cases.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

This list is not all possible symptoms. 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.

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.

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

Quick Links to Coronavirus Information

Brunswick County

NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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 leslie.stanley@brunswickcountync.gov

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

Phone: 910.253.2339
Email: coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov

Community Care of North Carolina’s COVID-19 Triage Plus (Available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily)

CCNC’s COVID-19 Triage Plus is a toll-free helpline aimed at answering patients’ COVID-19 questions and helping them find the care they need. COVID-19 Triage Plus staff are local, NC-licensed RNs experienced in care management who will assist any North Carolina resident regardless of insurance coverage or lack of coverage. Through an agreement with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, CCNC will staff this helpline from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

COVID-19 Triage Plus Patient Information and Support Line: 1.877.490.6642

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

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

Brunswick County website: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/news/
Sign up for email updates on emergency situation news releases: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/info/email/
Social media: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/info/social/
Emergency alert notifications (phone calls, text, and/or emails): https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/7BC24EDE14D3

Public Notice

Brunswick County Coronavirus / Hurricane Information

Find the latest information and resources related to Isaias>> https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/hurricanes/

See Latest Coronavirus Information & Case Counts >> brunswickcountync.gov/alert-ticker/information-on-coronavirus/

Information on Coronavirus