Beaufort County Emergency Management: COVID-19 Update (4-1-20)

Latest Polls (view all)

Where do you stand on the Transgender Issue now that the issue has gotten to the overt point of the open celebration of this lifestyle choice, dictated by certain direct and explicit actions.

85.92% I do not approve of behavior that has within its expressed tenants policies that harm children.

12.68% I do support the Trans Community in all its many facets because diversity is at a premium in today's society.

1.41% What is a "Children's Drag Queen Story Hour?"

Click Here to Vote
71 Vote(s)

View all Polls

Beaufort County Emergency Management: COVID-19 Update (4-1-20)

Published: Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 @ 2:59 am
By: Stan Deatherage ( More Entries )

Press Release:

4/1/2020 Beaufort County, NC COVID-19 SITREP The following information is as of 4:30pm Updates from our previous posting have been highlighted.
Case Statistics

	Population	Total Confirmed Cases	Current Active Cases	Deaths	Recovered
Worldwide	7.6 Billion	846,156 (+75,503)	669,985 (+59,462)	41,494 (+4,548)	176,171 (+16,041)
USA	330 Million	181,099 (+21,915)	153,605 (+‭23,580)	3,606 (+726)	6,038 (+459)
NC	10.4 Million	1,510 (+233)	1,510 (+233)	10 (+3)	See Note Below
Beaufort Co.	49,000	7 (+2)	4 (+1)	0	3
Text in red indicates changes since our last update.
North Carolina is currently not actively tracking the cumulative total of Recovered cases in our state. However, we will continue to provide this information at a county level.

5% of all worldwide active cases are considered serious (requiring hospitalization). This is down from 19% in February.
11% of all US cases are considered serious (requiring hospitalization).
NC has 1,510 confirmed cases across 80 counties, with 10 deaths.
Beaufort County has had a total of 7 cases, with 4 currently active. Contact Tracing of these known cases have concluded:
- (1) case has been contributed to direct contact with a known patient from another county.
- (1) case was related to travel to a known outbreak area.
- (4) cases are attributed to community spread.
- (1) case is still under investigation.
All active cases are self-isolating.
Eastern NC counties with current cases include: Bertie, (6), Beaufort (6), Brunswick (14), Carteret (12), Camden (1), Chowan (1), Columbus (4), Craven (6), Currituck (1), Dare (2), Duplin (1), Edgecombe (3), Greene (3), Halifax (4), Hertford (4), Hyde (1), Lenoir (3), Martin (1), New Hanover (30), North Hampton (30), Onslow (7), Pamlico (1), Pasquotank (4), Perquimans (1), Pitt (27) Sampson (1), Washington (2), Wayne (4) and Wilson (13). Durham (122), Mecklenburg (420) and Wake (186) counties have the most cases.

Mitigation Efforts

A Message from our Beaufort County’s Health Department:
On March 27th, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper issued a statewide Stay at Home Order that began yesterday, March 30th, 2020 at 5:00pm and will last until April 29th, 2020. This order directs people to stay home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member. Specifically, the order bans gatherings of 10 people or more and directs everyone to physically stay at least 6 feet apart from others. This Stay at Home Order will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent our medical system from being overwhelmed by keeping individuals from being exposed to the virus, as well as keeping those who have the virus from spreading it to others.
“It is a hard time for everyone, but we cannot stress enough the importance of social distancing and staying home to protect your family, loved ones, friends, and community members, “said Health Director Jim Madson. “Though we know the case load will continue to rise in our region, each and every person are the key to helping slow the spread by limiting contact with others, along with practicing good hygiene and sanitation (ex. washing hands and disinfecting areas). What you do does matter and can save lives.” Social distancing is of extreme importance. Use technology to stay in touch with family and friends. Schedule virtual coffee dates, host group chats, and attend FaceTime sessions to stay connected. Use this time to spring clean, do chores around the house, get organized, or simply spend time with your household loved ones.
We know you may have questions and/or concerns. Check out our site, https://co.beaufort.nc.us/departments/human-services public-health/2019-coronavirus-covid-19 to get the most updated information regarding COVID-19, executive orders like the Stay at Home Order, and more. Additional questions or concerns can be sent to bchealth@bchd.net.
You are an important part of helping reduce transmission and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Join with us in fighting the spread by practicing the following prevention methods:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after
- going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Practice social distancing (avoid handshakes, hugs, and other close contact)
Stay at Home Initiative
“Home Is Where the Heart Is & Where Your Body Needs To Be Too!”
Beaufort County Health Department is calling all to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. We are asking all to STAY HOME to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. STAY HOME and only leave for essential trips if you are feeling well. Essential trips include food, picking up prescription/medications, and scheduled medical appointments. Necessary trips, such as groceries and prescriptions, can also be done in a way that can help prevent the spread! Order your groceries online. You can pick them up without having to go in the store or have them delivered. When picking up your prescriptions, go through the drive thru.
In addition, fight the spread by:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean/disinfect commonly used areas and surfaces.
- Cough/sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue away.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
These are small, simple practices that you, your family and friends can do to make a BIG impact and help fight the spread!

We must work together to take all the necessary steps to prevent the spread and protect the health of our community and loved ones!
Beaufort County’s EOC is now fully activated to provide support for essential county and municipal functions.
Public access will be restricted to Beaufort County Government buildings beginning Tuesday, 3/24. Guidance for conducting business with our various departments can be found using the following link and will also be posted at each county building. https://co.beaufort.nc.us/post/421/limited-access-to-county-facilities
The City of Washington closed the following city office building to the public until further notice:
- City Hall
- Bobby Andrews Recreation Center
- George H. and Laura E. Brown Library
- Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center
- Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center
- Susiegray McConnell Sports Complex
Beaufort County Schools is closed through May 15th. They will be offering free breakfast and lunch drive through from 10:30 – 12:30 pm at the following locations:
- Northeast Elementary School
- Eastern Elementary School
- John Cotton Tayloe Elementary School
- Chocowinity Primary School
- SW Snowden Elementary School
Packed lunches for school aged kids will also be served at the 9th Street Housing Authority office from 10:30am to 12:30pm. This will be from Monday-Friday. Recipients will need to provide the child's name.
Additional information and updates can be found on Beaufort County School's Website.
The Salvation Army is also a location for meal pick up for students.
All assisted living facilities in Beaufort County have restricted visitations to end of life visits only.
Vidant is prohibiting visitors across all hospitals and emergency departments with exception of the following:
- Maynard Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics Unit / NICU, Maternity and Postpartum Unit (One healthy partner allowed), Palliative Care Unit / End of Life Care, Clinics located inside the hospital, Discharge pick up, Emergency Departments (Patient requiring assistance only, Parent or Caregiver of pediatric patients)
Shelter in Place Orders:
- Many neighboring towns and counties, as well as other areas across our state are currently instituting “Shelter in Place” orders as an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. As part of our forward planning initiatives, Health Department officials, as well as County and Municipal leaders conducted a conference call today to discuss what orders like these would look like in Beaufort County, and whether they would be effective. Today’s conversation concluded that many of the protective features identified in these “Shelter in Place” orders already exist as current CDC, NCDHHS and local guidelines, with others becoming effective at 5pm today in accordance with the Governor’s recent Executive Order. (See EO 120 below for details.)
- Todays conversation also identified the critical need for a coordinated approach to “Shelter in Place” orders. Coordination is essential if this method is to offer the best defense against the spread of COVID-19 in our county. Everyone should agree to implement the same order, at the same time. For ex. If the county instituted a “Shelter in Place” order, but our municipalities did not, then we would only be impacting a small percentage of our population, while causing confusion as to what is acceptable, when, where and by whom. These points alone would make enforcement of such orders difficult. The same would be true if municipalities acted independently, or without coordinating with other communities.
- This same concept of a coordinated approach is also be discussed at a state level. For ex. If we issue “Shelter in Place” orders throughout Beaufort County, but neighboring counties do not, would there still be a noticeable reduction in the spread of COVID. As such, there is a possibility of statewide restrictions through additional executive orders soon.
- With all these things considered, Beaufort County and its municipalities are embracing the spirit of “Shelter in Place” and encouraging all our citizens to limit any unnecessary movements beyond your homes. Continue to follow current CDC, NCDHHS and local guidance by:
  - Limiting your travel to grocery stores, etc. to essential trips only.
  - Not congregating in social settings.
  - Continue to practice social distancing by maintaining 6’ of space between yourself and others.
  - Avoid using public amenities such as playground equipment, etc.
North Carolina is currently under the following executive orders:
- EO 121: A statewide “Stay at Home” order will become effective at 5pm today. This order will restrict travel to essential activities only. (i.e. Travel for items such as, groceries, food, medications, household supplies, essential workers, etc.) This order will also limit gatherings to less than 10 people. (A copy of this order is attached to today’s email.)
- EO 120: Extended school closures through May 15th. This order also imposes the following restrictions on businesses.
  1. In addition to the restrictions on mass gatherings identified in Executive Order No. 117 § 1, entertainment facilities without a retail or dining component are ordered to close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, though any retail or dining component may operate within that establishment solely for that purpose. Any dining facilities may operate only within the restrictions for restaurants as set out in Executive Order No. 118. These facilities include, but are not limited to, the following types of business:
    - Bingo Parlors, including Bingo sites operate by charitable organizations
    - Bowling Alleys
    - Indoor Exercise Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock climbing facilities)
    - Health Clubs
    - Indoor/Outdoor Pools
    - Live Performance Venues
    - Movie Theaters
    - Skating Rinks
    - Spas
    - Gaming and business establishments which allow gaming activities (e.g. video poker, gaming, sweepstakes, video games, arcade games, pinball machines or other computer, electronic or mechanical devices played for amusement)
- EO 119: Lifting restrictions on local Health Departments, child care facilities, and commerce transport. This order also restricting various functions of DMV to include:
  - Driver’s License Office will operate by appointment only.
  - Closing of all Drivers License Office that are on insufficient size to maintain social distancing.
  - Extending office hours at locations that are of sufficient size.
  - Postpone all DMV related hearings for 60 days.
- EO 118: Restricting dine-in services at all restaurants / bars. These businesses will continue to be allowed to provide carry-out and delivery services.
- EX 117: Limit gatherings to less than 100 people. (Exceptions include, but are not limited to retail stores, restaurants, shopping centers, etc.) At the moment, this order has not been amended to match the current CDC recommendation of less than 50. Today’s Executive Order announcement will limit gatherings to less than 10 people effective 5pm Monday, 3/30. (Please refer to the full order for exceptions)