As the region prepares for the possibility of confirmed coronavirus cases in our region, communities are taking steps to prepare. Over the weekend Gov. Roy Cooper announced a state-wide school closure order, and a ban on gatherings of over 100 people. Area towns are also taking steps to protect the public.
So far, Brunswick County has one presumed case of COVID-19.
But Leland Communications Officer Hilary Snow says the city has been working on safety plans for a while.
“Essentially on Friday, as you know, we were preparing more and more for the possibility of a positive case in our area. At some point we decided to follow the County lead with closing our parks program and events, and part of that includes the Cultural Arts Center. So essentially that building will be closed to the public beginning Monday and we have a lot of classes, a lot of concerts and events in that space. And so, as of Monday, all of those programs and events coming up have been postponed indefinitely as well as some of our parks and recreation outdoor programs and classroom program.”
More closures and cancellations across the region are expected in the coming days. Listen to WHQR for daily updates.
Vince Winkel, WHQR News.
Resources:
New Hanover County Public Health Coronavirus Call Center: (910) 798-6800
New Hanover County Updates and Health Information: www.Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus
New Hanover County info about closures and virtual options (this is also available on our Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus website in the tab “County Operations and Facility Updates”: https://news.nhcgov.com/news-releases/2020/03/new-hanover-county-shares-enhanced-guidance-to-reduce-risk-update-on-covid-19-planning/
Library resources (virtual and online reservation of books): NHCLibrary.org
Unemployment Help: https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment/
Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services online: Epass.NC.gov, or call 910-798-3500 (that is our local Health and Human Services number)
Disaster Coalition: https://www.newhanoverdisastercoalition.org/
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 info:
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html