With New Hanover County continuing preparations for COVID-19 cases in the area, County Commissioners briefed the media Monday with their latest information.
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair Julia Olson-Boseman began the meeting with encouraging news.
“I want to state upfront there are no confirmed tests of COVID-19 in New Hanover County and the measures we are taking now will help to ensure our community is as protected and safe as possible from this virus.”
She announced that the County is launching a COVID-19 call center, staffed with medical professions, launching Tuesday. That number is 910-798-6800.
Boseman also said the County is working with New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the healthcare community to collaborate on a drive-through COVID-19 sampling location for the area. Testing is also happening across the County.
“As of today public health department is where 28 COVID-19 tests that have been taken in New Hanover County. Two tests have gone from public health to the state and are pending. 26 tests have gone through private labs from physician offices. There are a handful of tests pending currently and otherwise all other tests have come back negative.”
Olson says next week’s Commissioners Meeting will go on as scheduled, but will be held remotely.
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