Brunswick County issued the following announcement on June 27.
Brunswick County Health Services is reporting the death of a county resident associated to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) today.
The individual was a resident at the Universal Health Care of Brunswick congregate living facility who received a positive test result for COVID-19. The patient was considered a person at high risk for severe illness as they were over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions.
To protect the families’ privacy, no further information about this patient will be released.
“I am saddened to hear about the passing of another resident related to this virus, and I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends, and the caretakers who looked after this individual,” Chairman Frank Williams said. “As this pandemic continues to affect our communities, I ask all our residents to take the guidance from our health professionals to heart to best protect one another and support our health care workers during this trying time.”
Health Services remains in daily communication with the facility to assist them with their needs concerning personal protective equipment, staffing, and overall care of the affected individuals. All other positive resident cases at the facility are currently isolating in a dedicated wing and are reported to be doing well at this time.
This is the fourth Brunswick County resident to pass away with deaths related to COVID-19. The County reported the first resident to pass away April 3, the second resident April 15, and the third resident June 1.
Two non-residents who tested positive while visiting the county have also had deaths associated to the virus; the first non-resident passed away April 10 and the second non-resident passed away April 21. Both of these cases were unrelated to each other. Neither of the two non-resident cases are included in the County’s official case count due to reporting rules, however Health Services provides information on non-resident cases it receives for transparency.
Governor Roy Cooper recently extended the state’s Phase 2 to lifting restrictions due to COVID-19 to Friday, July 17. Phase 2 includes a Safer at Home recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness. Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians.
The Governor’s Executive Order No. 147 also requires individuals wear face coverings in certain public places—both indoor and outdoor—where staying six feet apart from others not in your household is impossible.
Public places include retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming sites, child care centers and camps (employees), state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet, workers and riders of transportation, workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing, and healthcare and long-term care settings.
NCDHHS encourages everyone to follow the three Ws when visiting any public area. These efforts work best when they are all practiced together by as many people as possible:
- Wear a cloth face covering when in public (Make sure both your nose and mouth are fully covered and you are able to breathe normally while wearing it.)
- 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
As of Saturday, June 27, there are now 453 positive cases of COVID-19 among county residents (262 considered recovered, 180 isolating at 155 different homes, 7 hospitalized, 4 deaths) and 13 cases among non-residents (2 isolating, 6 considered recovered, 3 transferred monitoring to home county, 2 deaths).
Brunswick County updates its case counts on its website daily. Find the latest information on case counts (including demographic data) on our Latest Information on Coronavirus webpage.
Isolated positive cases pose a low risk to the public as they and any household contacts are isolated or quarantined. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.
Brunswick County has more information about testing, screening sites, and symptoms on its website, including testing sites for both insured and uninsured individuals. These new online tools are also available to help increase access to testing:
- Check My Symptoms is a public website that allows people to enter their symptoms to determine if they should consider getting tested for COVID-19. If a test is recommended, they will receive a link to a list of nearby testing sites via email or text.
- Find My Testing Place is a public website that allows people to enter their county or ZIP code and access a list of nearby testing site locations online.
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For media inquiries, contact the Public Information Officer at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov
- Residents can find the latest information from the County concerning COVID-19 at http://brunswickcountync.gov/news
- Individuals can also follow the County’s social media and sign up for emails on emergency updates at http://brunswickcountync.gov/info/email/
- Brunswick County Public Health Call Line and Email (Available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.): 910.253.2339 / coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov
- 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
- Community Care of North Carolina’s COVID-19 Triage Plus (Available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily): 1.877.490.6642
- Information on free mental health call lines
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
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