Thursday, April 9th was the last update from Dr. Terri Duncan, Director of Bladen County Health Department on COVID-19 (coronavirus). Duncan assured BladenOnline.com staff she would update the public if any new positive cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in the county.
She said, “I’m trying to be sensitive to Easter through the weekend unless we have additional cases.”
On Saturday as of 11 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Bladen County is still only one, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The whole state has a total of 4,312 positive COVID-19 cases with 80 leading to deaths. There have been 60,393 tests completed and 362 people hospitalized. Currently, there are cases in 91 of the 100 counties in North Carolina.
On the Bladen County Health Department’s Facebook page the agency posted the following messages.
On Saturday afternoon:
“There is HOPE…..Thank you for the sacrifices!!!
New York may be seeing the flattening of the curve and Bladen County remains at one positive case. With known community transmission in surrounding counties, it’s important for us to stay the course.
While finding different, meaningful ways to celebrate Easter hopefully we will continue to keep our families and communities safe. We are appreciative of the sacrifices you are making!”
Other updates:
“Stay Home, Save Lives!
Bladen County Health Department has monitored over 50 individuals who were tested for COVID-19, with one reported positive case.
Traditionally, Easter is a time for large community and family gatherings. To echo Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen’s plea to the public, this year needs to be different. We are entering a crucial time in the COVID-19 pandemic-please stay home and stave lives!
Our faith in God, and the support of each other will help Bladen County to move forward in the fight against COVID.”
In another post the department published:
“The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has two new mental health resources to support North Carolinians throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) connects North Carolinians to additional mental health and resilience supports that help them cope and build resilience during times of crisis. As part of the state’s recent hurricane recovery efforts it served over 4,400 people in the most impacted counties, and now it is being made available to everyone in North Carolina’s 100 counties during the COVID-19 crisis. This initiative is in partnership with all seven of the state’s LME/MCOs and REAL Crisis Intervention Inc. in Greenville. Hope4NC is now available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to speak to a live person.
The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) is a new initiative in partnership with the North Carolina Psychological Foundation. It provides mental health and resilience supports for health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, other staff who work in health care settings and their families throughout the state who are experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response. Hope4Healers is also available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for people to reach out for support; they will be contacted quickly by a licensed mental health professional for follow-up.
“These are challenging and uncertain times for everyone. We want to connect people to the mental health and resilience supports that they may need during this crisis to alleviate some of the anxiety and stressors that they are feeling,” said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Kody Kinsley.
Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, DNP, RN-C, CNE, CPHQ
Director: Bladen County Health and Human Services”
Related article:
Coronavirus: Spring Break COVID-19 Food Assistance for Children in Bladen County
https://bladencounty.org/coronavirus-spring-break-covid-19-food-assistance-for-children-in-bladen-county/?fbclid=IwAR1_f8ShOyqo1RxRGpkkUxyCWDyvf7rNB0I9fdX-ykAOmCrZfssCwfbJRIM
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