Beaufort County Emergency Management: COVID-19 Update (7-24-20) | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

7/23/2020 Beaufort County, NC COVID-19 SITREP Updates from our previous posting have been highlighted.
The following information is as of 5:30pm.
    Case Statistics

• NC has had a total 107,125 confirmed cases, with 1,756 deaths. Our state currently has 26,724 active cases and 1,188 hospitalizations.
• Beaufort County has had a total of 249 cases, with 71 currently active, and 7 currently hospitalized. 9 of today’s 23 new cases were symptomatic at the time of their test and 1 was asymptomatic. 9 cases were also identified through contact tracing and have been attributed to having had contact with other known cases. 2 cases have been attributed to community spread. All other cases are currently under investigation. Fifty-one (51) of our total positives were asymptomatic at the time of their test. Investigation of these known cases have concluded:
  • (140) cases are attributed to direct contact with another known positive case.
  • (2) cases were related to travel to a known outbreak area.
  • (70) cases are attributed to community spread.
  • (37) cases are still under investigation.
• All active cases are self-isolating.
• Eastern NC counties with total confirmed cases include: Bertie, (191), Beaufort (249), Bladen (509), Brunswick (1,021), Carteret (189), Camden (50), Chowan (72), Columbus (725), Craven (555), Currituck (57), Dare (163), Duplin (1,820), Edgecombe (477), Gates (35), Greene (269), Halifax (510), Hertford (219), Hyde (35), Jones (44), Lenoir (468), Martin (196), New Hanover (1,991), Northampton (279), Onslow (702), Pamlico (50), Pasquotank (281), Pender (538), Perquimans (50), Pitt (1,313) Sampson (1,351), Tyrrell (83), Washington (95), Wayne (2,167) and Wilson (1,231). Mecklenburg (18,403), Wake (9,377), and Durham (5,269) counties have the most cases.

    Testing

• There have been 3,659 tests completed in Beaufort County to date, with 3,241 negatives, 240 positives and 178 pending. (These are cumulative numbers and includes test performed at the Health Department and reporting private medical facilities throughout our county.) *Nine (9) of our positive cases were tested in other counties but are Beaufort Co. residents.*
• There were approximately 580 tests completed by Beaufort Co. agencies last week.

    Beaufort County — 2nd Death Press Release     July 23, 2020

    Washington, NC — Beaufort County Health Department is reporting its second death in the county of a resident who tested positive for COVID-19.

    The individual passed today, July 23rd, 2020. The patient was 64 years old and had no major underlying health conditions reported. To protect the family's privacy, no further information will be released at this time.

    The patient that passed was the 128th case of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in the county. The county currently has 249 confirmed tests at this time and 183 pending tests with more than 3,622 county residents having been tested to this point.

    Beaufort County Health Department Director Jim Madson expressed, "Such a tradegy, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who lost their loved one."

    We know there are questions and concerns regarding COVID-19. Please continue to visit our website at 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, testing, and more. Additional questions or concerns can be sent to bchealth@bchd.net.

    Continue to protect yourself and others by:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Practice social distancing (maintain at least 6 feet between you and others)
• Wear your mask when social distancing isn’t possible
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Staying home when you are sick
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe
• Washing 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

    James Madson, RN, MPH     Health Director     Beaufort County Health Department

    Beaufort County Schools — School Openings Announcement     Beaufort County Schools will be starting the 2020-2021 school year on a modified Plan B format for all schools except the BCS Early College High School. Parents and students of ECHS will be contacted directly about their schedule of instruction.

    The modified Plan B consists of four weeks of remote instruction for all other students beginning August 17th through September 11th.

    Presumably students will then be partially attending schools each week along with continued remote instruction outside the school building. Parents and students will be informed when students attend onsite and when they continue remote instruction. More specific details will be released soon concerning these assignments. Here is an example of the weekly schedule:

• Group A Students: Monday – Tuesday in school instruction / Wednesday – Thursday – Friday remote learning
• Group B Students: Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday remote learning / Thursday – Friday in school instruction

    There will be additional information communicated soon regarding the Open House, learning protocols, device pickup, and learning expectations for each school. Please monitor the website and/or social media account of your child's school.

    Re-Opening Timeline / Guidelines     Below is a summary of our states plan for a phased reopening. Please note that these timelines / guidelines are subject to change based on case trends and / or additional executive orders.

    School Reopening's

    Governor Cooper has announced that public schools will reopen under the "Plan B" designation this fall, utilizing both in person and online education. Governor Cooper's school reopening plan also allows county school boards to utilize "Plan C", or an all online approach to education if they deem such an option necessary for their individual districts. Beaufort County Schools will be sharing additional information pertaining to the reopening of our schools soon.

    Phase II (Will begin at 5pm Friday, 5/22 and continue through 5pm Friday 8/7))

    Governor Cooper has announced that North Carolina’s Phase II “Safer at Home” order has been extended for 3 additional weeks (thru 8/7).

    Today's announcement also included an executive order requiring individuals above the age of 11 to wear a face covering while in public areas where social distancing cannot be maintained. Exceptions are permitted for those individuals with medical issues that prohibit the use these coverings.

    Additional details pertaining to today's Executive Order announcement can be found in the attached documents titled "Cooper EO 147 Phase II Extension", "NCDHHS Interim Guidance on Face Coverings" and "EO 147 FAQ".

• Lift the Stay-at-Home order. Restaurants and Personal Care Services must follow safety protocols including the potential need to reduce capacity (Bar & Fitness Centers will remain closed under Executive Order 141)
• Increase number of people allowed at gatherings
• Recommend face coverings in public spaces when 6 ft of distancing isn't possible.

    Additional information about Phase II can be found using the following link:     https://co.beaufort.nc.us/departments/human-services/public-health/2019-coronavirus-covid-19/phase-two-resources

    Additional Business / Employer Guidance can also be found by using the following link:     https://co.beaufort.nc.us/departments/human-services/public-health/2019-coronavirus-covid-19/beaufort-county-resources/business-employer-guidance

    The Governor and the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association also introduced Count on Me NC, a free online training program to help restaurants, hotels, and other businesses learn the best ways to protect customers and employees from COVID-19, which can be found at: https://countonmenc.org/

    Phase III (Could begin Aug 7th, 2020)

• Increased capacity at Restaurants, Bars, Other Businesses, Houses of Worship & Entertainment Venues.
• Further increase the number of people allowed at gatherings.