Onslow coronavirus coverage: What you need to know Saturday

Apr. 11--Below are updates on Onslow County and surrounding areas confirmed cases, impacts and other locally-produced stories with information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).

THE LATEST INFORMATION

Number of positive COVID-19 cases announced:

* Carteret County: 20

* Onslow County: 34

* Duplin County: 7*

* Jones County: 4

*Rose Hill Medical Center in Duplin County has had several staff members test positive for COVID-19, but the health department did not have specifics or additional details immediately available.

As of Thursday, Onslow County had 864 negative tests and 103 tests were pending. Positive cases are those aged 20 to 68, with 38% having traveled to known areas of infection, 23% having direct contact with someone who tested positive, and 39% are community spread. Five of the positive cases are currently hospitalized.

As of Thursday, Carteret County had 315 negative tests, 1 inconclusive test, and 19 tests were pending.

Number of patients who have recovered:

* Carteret County: 13

* Onslow County: 14

* Duplin County: 2

* Jones County: 0

Number of deaths related to COVID-19:

* Carteret County: 1*

* Onslow County: 1

* Duplin County: 0

* Jones County: 1

*The first Carteret County death announced was not a county resident and is not counted with local numbers.

North Carolina statewide numbers, updated at 11 a.m. daily by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Laboratory-confirmed tests cases: 3,908

* Completed tests: 57,645

* Affected counties: 91

* Currently hospitalized: 423

* Deaths: 74

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Here's a look at the stories published Friday, April 10.

Jones County reports first COVID-19 death

Jones County has announced the first death in the county due to COVID-19.

To read more, click here.

Swansboro family hosts pandemic baby shoot

A family in Swansboro celebrated the birth of their first child in March and decided to get creative for their son's one month photo.

To read more, click here.

Stores explain struggles to stock shelves amid COVID-19 pandemic

Local stores are still having a hard time restocking toilet paper, paper towels and other cleaning and sanitation supplies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the short supplies of needed items isn't because stores aren't trying to order more.

To read more, click here.

ECU Physicians offers virtual visits to community in response to COVID-19

ECU Physicians, the medical practice of ECU's Brody School of Medicine, is taking steps to increase access to health care for community members, including those who are not ECU Physicians patients and those who do not have health insurance.

To read more, click here.

Photos: Onslow thanks first responders through donations

Onslow residents donated and compiled donations of food and drinks to gift to first responders in the county and on base as a thank you for their diligent work during the coronavirus pandemic.

To view the photos, click here.

Onslow EMS creates isolation tent for COVID-19 patients

Onslow County Emergency Medical Services created an isolation tent to be placed over patients in cases where the patient is suspected of having the novel coronavirus.

To read more, click here.

Coronavirus changes, announcements for Friday

Recent announcements include: James Sprunt Community College has postponed its graduation until August.

To read more, click here.

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Here's a look at the stories published Thursday, April 9.

Jacksonville: All transit routes free, new route added

Jacksonville Transit will add a new route beginning Friday, April 10 -- and it and the existing transit routes will be free for passengers.

To read more, click here.

Beaufort: Entry checkpoint begins Thursday

The Town of Beaufort will begin operating an entry checkpoint Thursday, and those without proper documentation will not be allowed entry into the town.

To read more, click here.

Cape Carteret to enact curfew beginning Friday

A curfew will take effect Friday night in the Town of Cape Carteret in western Carteret County.

To read more, click here.

ENC schools announce plans for free meals during spring break

Spring break is approaching for area students, and while some schools are planning to continue providing free meals for students, others are planning to pause or change the way food is distributed for the week.

To read more, click here.

As COVID-19 hospitalization increases, patients connect through technology

The number of positive COVID-19 cases and those being hospitalized due to complications in Eastern North Carolina continues to rise, but hospitals are working to ensure patients have some connection with their loved ones while restrictions are in place to help prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

To read more, click here.

Onslow supports those on the frontlines with donations, fundraisers

Several fundraisers and projects are underway now to benefit teachers as well as healthcare workers and first responders.

To read more, click here.

Jim Henson, 'Muppets' puppeteer offers online class

Jay Tyson, a Havelock resident and professional puppeteer whose work appeared in Jim Henson's "Muppets from Space," plans to teach the basics of puppet-making with downloadable patterns and a live Facebook video.

To read more, click here.

Coronavirus changes, announcements for Thursday

Recent announcements include: The Salvation Army has several openings for the CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) for Onslow seniors, and Mount Carmel Helps, Inc. Disaster Relief Team will be holding a Mobile Food Drive Saturday.

To read more, click here.

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Here's a look at the stories published Wednesday, April 8.

Photos: Onslow library staff make masks for those on the front lines

Onslow County Public Library staff spent hours this week creating masks for county employees working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those working at the health department and social services.

To view more photos, click here.

Onslow battles food insecurity due to the coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic has created food insecurity for many people, including families in Onslow County, and organizations are stepping up to address the need.

To read more, click here.

Tryon Palace staff continues working toward reopening

New Bern's top-dog tourist attraction Tryon Palace has been closed to the public since March 16 and has canceled all events through the end of May because of COVID-19, but, work continues in anticipation of it reopening.

To read more, click here.

Onslow transit to offer free rides for essential needs

A new, free public transportation service is being offered for eligible Onslow County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read more, click here.

Coronavirus changes, announcements for Wednesday

N.C. Medicaid has implemented flexibility on how Medicaid providers and beneficiaries receive Medicaid services in the wake of COVID-19.

To read more, click here.

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Here's a look at the stories published Tuesday, April 7.

MCIEAST 'in the process of implementing' DoD face mask order

The Department of Defense has encouraged all individuals on DoD property, installations and facilities to wear cloth face coverings "to the extent practical," when they can't maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers, effective immediately.

To read more, click here.

Onslow churches offer alternative Easter services

Onslow-area churches are thinking outside the box to find ways to provide worship services while still obeying COVID-19 social distancing mandates, and plans are in place for offering Easter worship services and events.

To read more, click here.

Two Jones County residents hospitalized due to COVID-19

Jones County now has two confirmed cases of COVID-19, and both of them have been hospitalized.

To read more, click here.

Photos: Onslow prepares for essential food pick up

Onslow County will host another essential food pick up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Today, county employees and volunteers were getting the bags packed and ready to give to those in need.

To view photos, click here.

2020 Census: Inaccurate count could impact Onslow healthcare

Onslow County has had their sights set on 2020 to obtain a more accurate count of the population, but COVID-19 has now hindered those efforts while the threat of residents in Onslow not participating has become greater with each passing week.

To read more, click here.

Photos: Easter Bunny delivers baskets for Onslow kids

Egg hunts and other Easter events were canceled this year due to COVID-19, but that didn't stop the Onslow Parks and Recreation Easter Bunny from leaving surprise baskets full of goodies for children across Onslow County.

To read more, click here.

Coronavirus changes, announcements for Tuesday

New announcements include: The IRS warns the public of possible COVID-19 payment scams and the Marine Corps Exchange has changed their hours of operation.

To read more, click here.

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Here's a look at the stories published Monday, April 6.

Carteret reports first COVID-19 resident death

The Carteret County Health Department has reported the first COVID-19 death of a Carteret County resident. The first reported death due to complications of COVID-19 in Carteret County was a Virginia resident.

To read more, click here.

Emergency childcare available for essential employees

Essential workers who need assistance with emergency childcare while still at work now have additional options.

To read more, click here.

Carolina Orthopedics reopens; employee's death not officially linked to COVID-19

Carolina Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy announced it was closing for the week after an employee reported on social media testing positive for COVID-19. The office staff now says it is possible the employee never had the virus, even through she has since died.

To read more, click here.

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Here's a look at the stories published Sunday, April 5.

COVID-19 brings telehealth to life in Onslow

Drastic measures are being made to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and telemedicine allows patients to reach medical professionals from afar, including from home. While the stay at home order does not shut down essential medical offices and businesses, many have stopped walk-in appointments and canceled elective procedures, instead relying on video and other remote means of speaking with patients.

To read more, click here.

Onslow machine shop keeps busy during pandemic

Coastal Swiss Precision owner Robert Fisher said the current pandemic has been a hit to the economy, but he sees more growth among manufacturing in the United States in the days ahead.

To read more, click here.

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