SOUTHEASTERN, N.C. — Covid-19 is continuing to spread in the Cape Fear region at what appears to be a rapid pace.
The cumulative total positive cases in the Cape Fear region have grown between 42% and 51% since July 1.
Testing has increased but officials are blaming the rise in the spread of the virus and increase in hospitalizations on relaxed behaviors and decreased adherence to social distancing, mask requirements, and other safety guidelines. Statewide hospitalizations peaked daily during a seven-day streak between July 4 and 11. Hospitalizations reached 1,040 as of Monday. In total, 1,510 North Carolinians have died from the virus, with 59% of deaths above age 75, 20% between ages 65 and 75, 16% between ages 50 and 54, and 5% between ages 25 and 49.
New Hanover County: The total number of positive cases in New Hanover County has jumped 45% in nearly two weeks. New Hanover County has 1,550 total positive cases as of Monday with 215 recoveries.
A total of nine New Hanover County residents have died from the virus. eight had underlying health conditions; four were in their 80s, two were in their 70s, one was in their 60s, one was in their 50s, and one was in their 40s with no reported underlying health conditions.
New Hanover Regional Medical Center has cared for a total of 226 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 to date, up 43 as of Friday compared to the week of June 28 to July 3. A total of 152 patients have been discharged and 30 have died. NHRMC has a daily average of 38 patients hospitalized this week.
New Hanover County has nine ongoing outbreaks (defined as two positive cases or more in a congregate setting) with one in the jail (13 total cases), three in child care facilities, two in residential care facilities and two in nursing homes.
Davis Health Care Center (three total cases, all staff), Liberty Commons (five total cases, two residents), and NorthChase Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (three total, all staff) are among the county’s nursing home outbreaks. Coastal Grove Group Home (three total cases, two staff) and Morningside of Wilmington (data n/a) are the county’s two residential care outbreak locations. Kiddie Academy (six total cases, three staff), Milestone Learning Center (13 total cases, six among staff), and Mustard Seed (five total cases, one among staff) are among the county’s identified childcare outbreak locations.
Previous outbreaks identified are considered over, according to the county.
An Ashley High School student who attended a summer workout on July 6, the day the New Hanover County School system resumed athletics, has tested positive for the virus.
Brunswick County: As of Monday, Brunswick County has 802 total positive cases of Covid-19 with 367 recoveries. Eleven are hospitalized and 405 are isolating.
Positive cases are up 51% since July 1.
Four residents of Universal Health Care of Brunswick have now died from Covid-19. The Shallotte facility had two deaths as of July 1. The facility has 41 total positive cases as of Monday, with 25 cases among residents.
Eight people have died from Covid-19 in Brunswick County. All eight individuals that died were 65 or older; seven had underlying health conditions. Two non-residents have also died from the virus after testing positive while visiting the county.
Friday, the county identified two additional congregate living facilities with Covid-19 outbreaks: Arbor Landing in Ocean Isle (five total cases, four are residents), and Brunswick Health & Rehab in Ash (two total cases, both residents).
The county also has previously identified outbreaks at Carolina Dunes Behavioral Health in Leland (five total cases, one is a resident) and Autumn Care of Shallotte (three total cases, one is a resident).
The county launched a new interactive dashboard Thursday to track Covid-19 data.
Pender County: Pender County does not have any ongoing outbreaks in child care or nursing home facilities, according to publicly reported state data.
The county did, however, announce an outbreak at American Skin in Burgaw, a pork production plant. At least eight people tested positive for the virus at the time. Though Pender County announced the outbreak at the company, the county declined to offer updates when later asked how many individuals had tested positive.
Part of the state correctional system, Pender Correctional has 19 total positive cases according to county data. One inmate at the facility died after contracting the virus.
In all, Pender County has 381 total cases with 243 recoveries and two total deaths. Positive cases are up 42% since July 1.
