Key information
COVID-19 Update:
- NC will be in Phase 3 until at least 12/4/2020
- NCDHHS Guidance on Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday shopping
- Current case numbers for Brunswick County
REMINDERS: Village Hall remains closed and IPC/PO will be closed tomorrow for Veteran’s Day
COVID-19 UPDATE
NC will be in Phase Three into December – Today, Governor Cooper announced that North Carolina will be paused in Phase 3 until at least December 4, 2020, unless he repeals, replaces, or rescinds his executive order by another executive order. Under this phase, vulnerable populations are still encouraged to stay at home. Most folks still must wear face coverings/masks in indoor and outdoor public places where social distancing is not possible. With the new executive order, the Governor will reduce the indoor gathering limit from 25 to 10, this will be in effect on Friday, November 13, 2020.
NCDHHS Guidance for Thanksgiving & Black Friday – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released new guidance for Thanksgiving celebrations and Black Friday shopping to help North Carolinians gauge the risks, protect their friends and loved ones, and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The State recommends that If people do plan on traveling or gathering, they should consider having a screening COVID-19 test three to four days ahead of time. A screening test can help someone know if they have COVID-19 even if they do not have yet have symptoms. However, a screening test can miss some infections. Furthermore, a negative test only gives you information for that point in time. Screening tests are available at state-funded community testing events. Call ahead to other testing sites to see if they offer screening tests at their locations. Community testing events and other testing sites are listed online at ncdhhs.gov/testingplace.
As far as Black Friday shopping is concerned, the State recommends individuals do not participate in any traditional Black Friday shopping where customers gather in large groups waiting for the store to open or are in crowded stores for extended times. Any large gathering of people poses an increased risk for spreading COVID-19. People at high risk for COVID-19 complications should limit in-person shopping. And people who have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, have COVID-19 like symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19, should not shop in person until their isolation or quarantine period is over. Individuals who do shop in person should follow the 3Ws and remember stores are limited to 50 percent capacity. For NCDHHS’s full media release go HERE.
Current Case Numbers for Brunswick County – As of November 10, 2020, there are 2,434 positive cases of COVID-19 among Brunswick County residents. Of the positive cases, 1,865 are considered recovered, 496 are isolating at home, 20 are isolating at a hospital, and 53 are deaths associated to COVID-19.
There are 17 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. Twelve of the cases are considered recovered, none of the cases are currently isolating at home. The County has transferred monitoring for three cases to the individuals’ home counties, and two are deaths associated to COVID-19.
As reported a few weeks ago, County officials expect increases in transmission of COVID-19 as the weather becomes increasingly dry and folks spend more time together indoors. The Village strongly recommends that folks continue to practice the 3 W’s while in public and to be courteous to others.
REMINDERS
Veteran’s Day – Village offices and the IPC/PO will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2020, in observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday.
Village Hall – Out of an abundance of caution, due to recent exposure with COVID-19, Village Hall will be closed until further notice due to minimal staffing. If you have business with the Village, we ask that you please use our online options, email, or call. Please call 910-457-9700 and our auto-attendant will direct you to the correct department. General questions can be emailed to public.information@villagebhi.org. There is a dropbox on Village Hall’s front porch for utility payments.