New Hanover County Regional Medical Center has announced modified visitor restrictions first implemented in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Beginning Tuesday, August 25, NHRMC will allow hospitalized patients to identify one person over the age of 18 who may visit the patient between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The designated person will be the only permitted visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay. Anyone who is over 65, pregnant, or immunocompromised is discouraged from visiting.
Visitors will be screened at designated entrances, and anyone with symptoms associated with COVID-19 may not enter. All visitors will be required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth, wash hands often and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others while at NHRMC.
Columbus County Schools announced yesterday that it has decided to begin in-person learning for Grades Four and Five starting on Monday, August 31st. The school system reports:
"This decision was made after evaluating the ability to meet safety guidelines with additional students, as well as the ability to meet the educational needs of in-person students. We also recognize the difficulty for some parents to find childcare during the school day. This is only for students whose parents did not request 100% virtual. All parents who requested 100% virtual will remain at home. Schools will be posting further instructions."
The St. Stan’s Polish Festival in Castle Hayne, normally held the 1st Saturday in November, has been cancelled. However, organizers will be having a frozen food sale beginning in December for those that always enjoy the festival’s food. Thanks to newsletter reader Debbie for bringing this to our attention!
As we approach peak hurricane season, the IRS is reminding residents to take steps to secure their important documents in the event of a severe storm. Original documents such as tax returns, birth certificates, deeds, titles and insurance policies should be stored inside waterproof containers in a secure space. More info from the IRS with additional tips here.
Another reminder from the IRS: unemployment compensation income is considered taxable. Many Americans are receiving unemployment benefits, many for the first time, and the IRS is reminding taxpayers that they can have tax withheld on that income now to avoid having to pay tax on it when they file federal income taxes next year. More information here.
