Beaufort County Emergency Management: COVID-19 Update (4-3-20) | Eastern North Carolina Now

    What to Expect in the Future?     The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations has released its projections for COVID-19. Their data includes estimates of needs (i.e. hospital beds, ICU beds, ventilators) as well as peak cases for US and state by state. N.C. is projected to peak on April 22. There has been improvement in resources and deaths per day since the “Stay at Home” order was updated. You can view this information by using the following link: https://covid19.healthdata.org/projections (This may not work well in Internet Explorer) Use the drop down arrow next to “United States of America” to view this data at a state level.

    As cases continue to escalate, you will see a shift in focus from testing to treatment. Again, testing is a diagnostic step, not a cure or treatment of symtptoms.

    There will be a significant increase in known case over the coming days. These increases are primarily contributed to widespread testing initiatives, as well as community outbreaks now in the larger metropolitan areas of New York and Washington.

    Announcements of cases attributed to “community spread” will continue for the foreseeable future. This is a normal and expected progression of communicable disease pandemics such as COVID-19. However, frequent hand washing and continuing to practice social distancing is the best way to fight community spread.

    Areas with high population densities such as Wake, Durham and Mecklenburg counties will continue to experience the greatest concentration of outbreaks, with their neighboring counties being the next highest. This to is an expected trend and is now evident by reviewing the NCDHHS state map tracker: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

    Economic Impacts and Mitigation     The systemic effects of social distancing has and will continue to impact our local economy. Particularly our local restaurants, many of which continue to offer carryout / drive through options. The status of local businesses and restaurants can be found by visiting the link below from the Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce. Please continue to support these locations when possible during this difficult time: https://www.wbcchamber.com/news/2020-business-updates-regarding-covid-19

    There are also several conversations at the federal and state levels regarding economic initiative. North Carolina is in the process of lifting many of the unemployment guidelines for those seeking assistance. Details pertaining to this initiative will be forthcoming.

    Resources     We have created a resource page that can accessed at:     https://co.beaufort.nc.us/departments/human-services/public-health/2019-coronavirus-covid-19

    This resource page contains guidance for businesses, long term care facilities, families, and more.

    We are here to offer support and answer any questions or concerns. We are encouraging all community partners to share accurate information and promote it within your businesses, communities, and elsewhere. Beaufort County's website and Facebook page are great ways to stay up to date on accurate information.

• Chris Newkirk
• Deputy Director
• Beaufort County Emergency Services
• 1420 Highland Dr
• Washington, N.C. 27889
• Office: (252) 940-6511
• Cell: (252) 378-5352
• Chris.Newkirk@co.beaufort.nc.us