Brunswick County issued the following announcement on May 7.
KEY POINTS
- The transition to Phase 1 of the state’s three-phase plan to lift restrictions due to COVID-19 still includes a modified version of the Governor’s Stay at Home order effective Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m. Continue to limit travel as much as possible during this phase and discourage vacations or invitations to guests to visit during Phase 1. Read the full press release from the Governor’s Office here.
- More information and guidance for businesses about Phase 1 is available on the NCDHHS website.
- Public Utilities encourages any business/building owners preparing to reopen to flush the entire building before doing so, including all water-using appliances such as ice machines and dishwashers. Flushing clears out the low-quality water that accumulates during low use and replaces it with higher quality water from the main water supply.
- North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) participants are now able to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers.
- As of May 7, there are 49 positive cases of COVID-19, 20 pending test results and 1,505 confirmed negative test results, totaling 1,574 tests administered so far among county residents. Of the positive cases, 36 are considered recovered cases, 10 are currently isolating at six different homes (one is not located in Brunswick County), one is isolating at a hospital, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
- There are 11 cases involving non-residents testing positive for COVID-19; five are considered recovered cases, three have transferred monitoring to their home county, one is isolating at a hospital, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
- See answers and information to several of our most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19.
- See more information about COVID-19 testing and screening sites in Brunswick County
On Friday May 8 at 5 p.m., North Carolina will move into Phase 1. The Stay at Home Order remains in place with some modifications. Here’s what Phase 1 means for our state. Click image to view PDF or click here.
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – As North Carolina prepares for the transition to Phase 1 this Friday at 5 p.m., Brunswick County reminds individuals that this first phase still includes a modified statewide Stay at Home order. Individuals should continue to take precautionary measures and limit their travel as much as possible, practice proper social distancing, follow best hygiene practices and wear cloth face coverings when in public to continue to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Read the full press release from the Governor’s Office to learn more about the transition to Phase 1.
The Governor’s Order concerning Phase 1 is in effect until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22. However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase 2. The state will only start Phase 2 if data and indicators are in the right place.
All 100 counties must comply with the Governor’s three-phase plan to reopen regardless how a county’s COVID-19 case counts compare to other areas in the state.
“It’s important to remember all North Carolinians are in this together and play a part in how Phase 1 unfolds,” Health and Human Services Director David Stanley said. “Even though we are transitioning to Phase 1 soon, we will still be under a modified statewide Stay at Home Order. You should only travel to businesses and locations that are permitted to open during Phase 1 and avoid planning vacations or inviting guests to your home during this phase.”
Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you stay home as much as possible, especially if your trip is not essential, and practice social distancing especially if you are at higher risk of severe illness. Do not travel if you are sick or travel with someone who is sick.
While counties and municipalities cannot lessen the restrictions outlined in the Governor’s executive orders or three-phase plan, they can create additional restrictions. Brunswick County has not issued additional restrictions beyond what is required in the Governor’s executive orders and government offices continue to remain open to the public with modifications to allow for proper social distancing among our team members and visitors.
You are encouraged to reach out to your municipality or check their website to see if they have initiated or could initiate additional restrictions that overlap with Phase 1 of North Carolina’s statewide plan. Individuals should continue to comply with any rules established within their jurisdiction.
Individuals are strongly encouraged to follow the three Ws when visiting any public area:
- Wear a cloth face covering when in public; learn how to wear and/or make one on the CDC website
- Wait six feet apart to avoid close contact and maintain appropriate social distancing between yourself and others
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer while also following other best hygiene practices
- Commercial activity: People can leave home for commercial activity and more businesses are open
- Retail: 50 percent capacity allowed with cleaning and social distancing
- Gatherings: 10 person limit – gathering outdoors with friends allowed
- Childcare: Childcare centers open for working parents or those looking for work
- Teleworking: Encouraged
- Bars and restaurants: Take-out and delivery only
- Barbers/salons/massage: Closed
- Theaters, music venues, bowling alleys: Closed
- Gyms: Closed
- Playgrounds: Closed
- Visitation at long-term care centers: Not allowed
- Worship services: Outdoor services allowed
- State parks and trails: Opening encouraged
- Face coverings: Encouraged
More information about the Governor’s Executive Order No. 138 is available below.
- Read: Governor’s Executive Order No. 138 (Phase 1)
- FAQs on the Governor’s Executive Order No. 138
- See more on what’s new in Phase 1 (PDF)
With the Governor’s Stay at Home Order and Executive Order No. 120 requiring several businesses to close for several weeks, business and building owners are encouraged to take steps to prepare their pipes for increased water use as they reopen according to the Governor’s three-phase approach to lifting restrictions due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
If water is not being used for a longer period of time, the water held in a building’s pipes can become stagnant. Disinfectants in the water, such as chlorine, will likely dissipate or become undetectable.
The best immediate action is to flush the entire building, including all water-using appliances such as ice machines and dishwashers. Flushing clears out the low-quality water that accumulates during low use and replaces it with higher quality water from the main water supply. The fresh water will also help mitigate other problems (e.g., loss of protective scale and biofilm growth) that might have emerged while the water was stagnant.
If staff are available to flush your buildings’ water lines, you are encouraged to start now. Run enough water through all outlets (e.g., hoses, faucets, shower heads, toilets, etc.) and remove aerators when possible. Typical protocols require running water for 10 to 30 minutes for each outlet (duration varies based on outlet velocity). In most cases, flushing with water that has normal amounts of chlorine (the chlorine already in the water supply) is sufficient for cleaning the water system.
The scientists and engineers at the Environmental Science, Policy and Research Institute (ESPRI) and AH Environmental Consultants, Inc. (AH) developed a brief guidance material to help those who are responsible for maintaining building water systems.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has detailed information on reactivating plumbing systems after dormant conditions at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html
For additional questions about flushing appliances that use water, contact Brunswick County Public Utilities at 910.253.2657 (option 1) or email utilityadmin@brunswickcountync.gov
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES PARTICIPANTS CAN NOW USE BENEFITS AT AUTHORIZED ONLINE EBT RETAILERS
North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) participants are now able to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers. North Carolina is the 10th state to implement this flexibility, which will remain permanently in place beyond the COVID-19 emergency.
The new flexibility will allow participants to buy food while also promoting social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helping families with transportation and mobility barriers.
Currently, Amazon and Walmart are the only authorized retailers approved for online FNS purchases nationally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must approve other retailers who wish to participate in the FNS online purchasing program. NCDHHS encourages other EBT retailers to pursue USDA approval to become authorized online retailers.
All EBT retailers in North Carolina have received information from USDA about how to become approved for online FNS purchases and other retailers are encouraged to seek approval for online purchasing. More information for retailers is available on the USDA website.
More information about North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services can be found at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps.
North Carolina individuals and families can apply for FNS at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do
COVID-19 FAQ OF THE DAY
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE (NON-RESIDENT) TESTS POSITIVE FOR THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) WHILE VISITING BRUNSWICK COUNTY?
- If the travelers become symptomatic and receive a positive test result for the virus, the Health Department will issue orders of isolation to all individuals in the party who are sick.
- In addition, all other close contacts in the party will have to quarantine for at least 14 days after all the sick individuals in the party are released from isolation, in efforts to protect public health.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY TEST RESULTS
As of May 7, there are 49 positive cases of COVID-19, 20 pending test results and 1,505 confirmed negative test results, totaling 1,574 tests administered so far among Brunswick County residents. Of the 49 positive cases, 26 are male and 23 are female; 36 are considered recovered cases, 10 are isolating at six different homes (one home is out-of-state), one is isolating at a hospital, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
There are 11 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. Seven of these cases are male and four are female. Five of the non-resident cases are considered recovered, one is isolating at a hospital, and the County has transferred monitoring for three cases to the individuals’ home counties; two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
The age ranges of the positive cases among Brunswick County residents as of today are as follows:
- 0-17 years old: 1
- 18-24 years old: 3
- 25-49 years old: 9
- 50-64 years old: 19
- 65+ years old: 17
- 0-17 years old: Zero cases
- 18-24 years old: Zero cases
- 25-49 years old: 4
- 50-64 years old: 2
- 65+ years old: 5
| Positive Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents) | 49 |
| Pending Test Sample Results at the State Laboratory or Private Laboratories (County Residents) | 20 |
| Confirmed Negative Test Results Reported to the County (County Residents) | 1,505 |
| Number of Test Samples Reported to the County (County Residents) | 1,574 |
| Positive Cases Isolating at Home (County Residents) | 10 |
| Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (County Residents) | 1 |
| Recoveries Among Positive Cases (County Residents) | 36 |
| Associated COVID-19 Deaths (County Residents) | 2 |
COVID-19 TEST REPORTS IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY AMONG NON-RESIDENTS
| Positive Test Results (Non-Residents) | 11 |
| Positive Cases Isolating in the County (Non-Residents) | 0 |
| Positive Cases Isolating at a Hospital (Non-Residents) | 1 |
| Recoveries Among Positive Cases (Non-Residents) | 5 |
| Transferred Monitoring to Home County (Non-Residents) | 3 |
| Associated COVID-19 Deaths (Non-Residents) | 2 |
Original source can be found here.
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