Coronavirus outbreaks in congregate care facilities a top priority for Brunswick County

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Four months into the coronavirus pandemic and cases continue to increase.

In Brunswick County, a focal point for health officials is cases in congregate settings.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there are five outbreaks in Brunswick County.

An outbreak is when two or more people test positive.

Three in nursing homes and two in residential care facilities.

The latest being Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health in Leland, where ten employees and one resident have tested positive for the virus.

“They have been on the rise for the past few weeks. We are working closely with them,” Cris Harrelson said. “We are keeping daily communication with them to help with any resource needs they may have such as PPE and staffing. And also to help with infection control measures.”

Harrelson, Brunswick County Health Director, says measures include making sure infected residents are separated from healthy residents and sending infected staff to quarantine at home.

He says once an employee’s infection period has ended, which is usually 14 days after symptoms stop, they may return to work.

When an outbreak is identified, all employees and residents are tested and repeat rested for the virus until there are no new positive cases.

Facilities where outbreaks occur do not accept new patients until an outbreak is under control.