SOUTHEASTERN NC — According to the latest numbers from the state’s Covid-19 dashboard, North Carolina has reached a total of 614,355 Covid-19 cases, with 3,871 people hospitalized and 7,425 deaths. Statewide case counts keep breaking one-day numbers for the second weekend in a row. N.C. Health and Human Services (NCHHS) reported 11,581 on Saturday, Jan. 9, following two days of hitting more than 10,000 cases each day.
New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties also are hitting new highs. All three counties are in the red zone, meaning there is critical viral spread of Covid-19, according to the Covid-19 County Alert System.
Earlier in the week, NCHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen released a directive for citizens to be more cautious than ever, especially because, in coming days and weeks, the state will continue seeing a rise in numbers from holiday travel.
She asked North Carolinians to:
- Only leave home for essential activities such as going to work or school, for health care purposes, to care for family members or to buy food.
- Avoid leaving home if you are over 65 or at high risk for developing serious illness. Use delivery services or alternative pick-up methods for food and retail.
- Avoid gathering with people who do not live with you.
- Wear a mask and keep distance from people when you leave home.
- Avoid any indoor public spaces where people are not wearing masks.
- Stay away from crowds. Avoid places where people may gather in large numbers
Below is a breakdown of the weekly numbers in southeastern N.C.’s tri-county region, including clusters reported from schools and congregate living facilities, and vaccinations administered to date.
New Hanover County
New Hanover County has reported 10,738 cases total with 96 deaths to date. The county dashboard is showing 1,506 active cases, 9,135 presumed recovered and 293 non-resident cases.
The majority of cases — 4,100 — have affected individuals from 25 to 49 years of age, with the second-highest age range falling between 18 and 24, at 2,600 cases.
On Saturday, Jan. 8, the county reported 191 cases in one day, falling just shy of its highest one-day case count, 196, on Dec. 17.
Also as of Jan. 8, N.C. Health and Human Services is reporting clusters in one New Hanover County school: Coastal Christian High, with a total of 30 cases — 26 children and four staff.
The state also reports clusters in congregate living facilities. Below is the breakdown of nursing home numbers in the county:
- Bradley Creek Health Center: 33 total cases, 18 staff and 15 residents
- Cypress Pointe Rehabilitation Center: 80 total cases, 26 staff and 54 residents; 12 deaths
- Davis Health Care Center: 14 total cases, 12 staff and two residents
- Liberty Commons Rehabilitation Center: five total cases, four staff and one resident
- Northchase Rehab & Nursing Care: 113 total cases, 37 staff and 76 residents; eight deaths
- Peak Resources – Wilmington: 85 total cases, 29 staff and 56 residents; five deaths
The county has inoculated 4,399 people with at least the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and it’s completed 241 with the vaccination series.
Brunswick County
Brunswick County has reported 5,159 cases to date; 1,100 are active. There have been 78 deaths, 20 hospitalizations and 3,981 recoveries.
The majority of cases — 1,603 — have affected individuals from 25 to 49 years of age, with the second-highest age range being folks over 65, at 1,379 cases.
As of Jan. 8, N.C. Health and Human Services is reporting school clusters in Brunswick County at Town Creek Elementary School with a total of 37 cases — 21 children and 16 staff. Southeastern Christian Academy is reporting five total cases, including three children and two staff.
RELATED: How Town Creek Elementary became the largest Covid-19 cluster in NC
The breakdown of nursing homes in the county include:
- Autumn Care of Shallotte: three total cases, two staff and one resident
- Brunswick Cove Living Center: 55 total cases, 17 staff and 28 residents; three total deaths
- Brunswick Health and Rehab: 13 total cases, 12 staff and one staff; one death
- Universal Health Care/Brunswick: six total cases, all staff
The county has inoculated 1,302 people at least with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and has completed 80 with the vaccination series.
Pender County
Pender County has seen 3,257 cases with 22 deaths, according to the state’s dashboard. The county’s dashboard, which was last updated Friday, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m. is showing a different number: 2,776 and 24 deaths, with 2,433 being residents and 343 being from the Pender Correctional facility.
“Sometimes the COVID numbers vary because the state goes by zip code,” Pender County Tourism director Tammy Proctor wrote in an email. “We have several zip codes that overlap, such as Willard and Scotts Hill. Our health department personnel have to follow up and often find this as the reason.”
The majority of cases — 1,134 — have affected individuals from 25 to 49 years of age, with the second-highest age range being individuals from 50 to 64, at 588 cases.
Pender County’s dashboard breaks down its cases by city:
Atkinson: 65
Burgaw: 425
Currie: 140
Hampstead: 938
Ivanhoe: 19
Maple Hill: 31
Rocky Point: 448
Surf City: 65
Topsail Beach: 11
Wallace: 28
Watha/Willard: 210
Wilmington: 49
As of Jan. 8, N.C. Health and Human Services is reporting no clusters in Pender County schools or childcare settings.
The breakdown for nursing homes in the county include:
- The Laurels of Pender: 25 total cases, 20 staff and five residents
- Woodbury Wellness Center Inc.: 20 total cases, 14 staff and six residents
The county has inoculated 865 people at least with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and completed 24 with the vaccination series.
New Hanover County Regional Medical Center
The New Hanover County Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) serves a seven-county region so numbers from their Covid-19 dashboard aren’t necessarily reflective of only residents from New Hanover County.
The hospital has checked in 1,211 patients to date and discharged 974; 175 have passed away. The hospital daily average of Covid-19 patients is 68.
NHRMC Physician Group Primary Care patients 75 years or older can now make an appointment to get a Covid-19 vaccination through their doctors. Otherwise, folks need to make an appointment when it’s their turn through New Hanover County Health and Human Services (NHCHHS).
RELATED: What do I do when it’s my turn to get the vaccine? And other questions [Free]
NHC Public Health has given NHRMC Physician Group Primary Care 1,950 doses to begin with and thereafter will replenish doses when the county gets its weekly shipment from the state.
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