Brunswick County identifies third and fourth presumptive positive cases, continues to stress social distancing (March 20, 2020 Coronavirus Update)
Key Points
- As of March 20, there are four presumptive positive cases in Brunswick County; Brunswick County identified its third and fourth case Friday afternoon
- The County stresses the importance of social distancing into the weekend and beyond to prevent the spread of coronavirus—regardless of how well you feel or how young you are
- 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 identified its third and fourth presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Friday afternoon. These individuals both represent isolated travel cases and are self-isolating in their homes and doing well.
Brunswick County considers and responds to presumptive positive cases as if they were positive, even while awaiting official confirmation of results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Third Case
The third case individual was not symptomatic while returning back to the area March 13 following a trip to New York. The individual later became symptomatic and reported their symptoms to a medical provider March 15. The individual did not travel from their home while symptomatic.
The individual agreed to self-isolation after taking the test March 15 and has remained in their home since then. There is one adult contact in the home who also started to self-quarantine with the individual March 15. Neither has direct contact with children in Brunswick County.
Brunswick County Health and Human Services team members will monitor the individuals during their self-isolation/quarantine and contact investigation has already been completed. The County is also in contact with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) to ensure proper steps are taken moving forward.
To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.
Fourth Case
The fourth case individual was tested March 13 with a medical provider in Tennessee while traveling. They returned to the area March 15 and they are currently self-isolating with one household contact who is self-quarantining. Neither has direct contact with children in Brunswick County.
Brunswick County Health and Human Services team members will monitor the individuals during their self-isolation/quarantine and contact investigation has already been completed. The County is also in contact with the NC DHHS to ensure proper steps are taken moving forward.
To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.
Moving forward, Brunswick County will provide updates on any presumptive positive cases considered a low risk for community spread in its daily update unless a serious public health concern requires a separate release.
Practicing social distancing over the weekend and beyond
Brunswick County’s Health and Human Services team continues to stress the importance that all residents and visitors remain inside their homes as much as possible to reduce the potential for community spread of the novel coronavirus.
“Governor Roy Cooper and the NC Department of Health and Human Services have already confirmed that there is evidence of community spread in North Carolina, so it is imperative that we all follow and continue protective measures like social distancing immediately,” Health and Human Services Director David Stanley said. “Our actions can have an impact on how far the virus spreads and can better protect the most vulnerable members of our communities, including those over 65 years old, with weakened immune systems, with underlying health conditions, and pregnant mothers.”
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.
As of March 20 at 4 p.m., there are 137 positive cases (increase of 40 cases from the day prior) and no deaths in North Carolina. Nationally there are 10,442 cases (increase of 3,355 cases from the day prior) and 150 deaths (increase of 53 deaths from the day prior) as of March 20.
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.
Brunswick County Test Results and How to Find Out If You Need a Test
Novel Coronavirus Test Reports in Brunswick County
| Total Positives (confirmed and probable) | 29,452 |
| Active (includes isolating at home and hospitalizations) | 848 |
| Deaths | 302 |
| Resolved | 28,302 |
Note: Mondays through Fridays only, excluding county-observed holidays. For case count information on weekends or county-observed holidays, visit the NCDHHS Dashboard at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/cases
Brunswick County’s case count table reflects the number of confirmed positive test results received from laboratories analyzing PCR and antigen tests. It does not include results from at-home testing kits. For the most up-to-date case count numbers for the county and state, visit the NCDHHS Dashboard at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/cases
The table’s case count numbers may shift up or down from the previous day in the event that duplicate test reports are identified and removed from the tally or should the county health department receive multiple delayed positive test results at once.
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 NC DHHS for its case count webpage at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc
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.
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.
Brunswick County Public Health Call Line and Email Information
- Phone: 1.910.253.2339
- Email: coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov
Individuals who have questions afterhours are encouraged to call the North Carolina Public Health Call Line, which has public health professionals available 24 hours a day every day to answer questions: 1.866.462.3821.
Updates from Our Partners in Response to Coronavirus
- Brunswick County Schools
- North Carolina Courts
- Brunswick Community College
- Novant Health
- Online coronavirus assessment tool found at novanthealth.org/coronavirus
- 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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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 offers some in-person services in online formats or over the phone and email. You are encouraged to reach out to us to see if there are opportunities to assist you via virtual means: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/coronavirus/county-contact-information-virtual-services/