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Gathered at the bottom of this page is WHQR's ongoing reporting and coverage on COVID-19. In addition, below is a list of other resources pertaining to the virus.For questions/concerns about COVID-19, call the NC Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821. To find out about the availability of community resources, call 211 or visit nc211.orgFor Brunswick County, the COVID-19 Helpline is 910-253-2339. The email is coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov. New Hanover County's Helpline is 910-798-6800. National Resources Basic Protective Measures from the Coronavirus Coronavirus Myth Busters Coronavirus FAQs and Answers National Coronavirus Case Tracker Protecting Yourself and Your Family Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities International Travel Advisories Local ResourcesTesting in North Carolina State Case Count New Hanover County Updates and Info Brunswick County Updates and Info Pender County Updates and Info New Hanover Regional Medical Center Updates New Hanover Disaster Coalition Novant HealthDosher Memorial HospitalWAVE TransitWilmington HealthUNCWWHQR's Community Resources

Coronavirus in New Hanover County: When, Not If

WHQR | By Katelyn Freund

Published March 13, 2020 at 5:41 PM EDT

Lisa Brown, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator for New Hanover County and Steven Still, Emergency Management Director for New Hanover County

New Hanover County emergency officials held a media briefing Friday afternoon to update the community on the coronavirus.

The big question on a lot of people’s minds today: “is COVID-19 already in New Hanover County?” And the answer to that, according to Lisa Brown, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, is not yet. But it’s just a matter of time.

So based off what we have seen, how this has occurred globally and then how this has occurred nationally. And I've watched this very, very, very closely for, it feels like an eternity, but I think it's actually close to two and a half or three months. I think it's very likely, very likely. [Katelyn Freund: A matter of when, not if?] Yes.

Although it’s likely the coronavirus will affect New Hanover County, Jessica Loeper, Chief Communications Officer, says there's no need to panic.

I think, you know, from our perspective at the County, we want people to be prepared. We want you to be ready in the event that COVID-19 impacts our community or impacts your neighborhood. But we don't want you to panic. We want you to stay calm. We want to make sure that you have your plans in place.

Local universities, including UNCW and CFCC, have already set plans in place for courses to move to an online setting. As of 4:30pm on Friday, Public K-12 schools have not made plans to cancel classes.

For WHQR News, I’m Katelyn Freund