COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the Catawba Valley region –

Burke County health officials reported 23 new positives Thursday, bringing the county’s total to 2-thousand-743.

The latest figures show 411 cases are active, 2-thousand-270 are recovered, and 9 remain hospitalized.

In McDowell County, a news release from public health reports 9 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Wednesday.

McDowell’s total is now 1-thousand-87; with 103 in quarantine and 953 out of quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 22 new cases Thursday, with a total now of 2-thousand-84 positives.

In Caldwell, 844 cases are active, 1-thousand-188 are recovered, and 12 individuals are hospitalized.

Catawba County reported 49 new positives for a total of 3-thousand-777.

State health officials report Thursday as the highest single-day increase in new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in March.

New positives statewide total 2-thousand-532, 18 more deaths were reported, and 1-thousand-140 residents are hospitalized across NC because of the virus.

Caldwell  DA’s Office Closed

The Caldwell County District Attorney’s Office has been closed after an employee

tested positive for Covid-19.  Court settings in Caldwell County were closed 

yesterday and the employee and other staff members of the DA’s office were sent

home to begin quarantine procedures.  The Caldwell County Health Department

was notified about the exposure as well as the Administrative Offices of the

Courts in Raleigh.  Court settings in Caldwell County will continue with assistant

district attorneys from the Burke and Catawba offices handling courtroom duties

in the absence of Caldwell staff members.

First Day Early Voting Turnout

North Carolina voters turned out in droves on the weather-friendly first day of the

early voting period Thursday.  Nearly 2 hundred 72 thousand ballots were cast

across the state as of 7:30 p.m.  That number easily surpasses the first day of early

voting in 2016 when about 1 hundred 66 thousand ballots were cast statewide. 

Also yesterday, nearly 5 hundred 33 thousand mail in ballots had been accepted

in North Carolina.  Henderson County led the state as nearly 19 hundred voters

had cast ballots by six p.m….the most of any site in the state.

Health Guidelines for Voters

While early voting began Thursday in NC, state health officials have released guidelines for voters and polling locations.

Residents who plan to vote in-person should wear a face mask and keep it on throughout the voting process, stay 6 feet apart from others while at the polling location, and wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after voting.

At the polls, masks are required and voting places must have enough masks to provide one to anyone who doesn’t have one.

Election workers must routinely clean and disinfect high-touch areas especially during peak voting times.

NC Health Secretary Mandy Cohen says everyone should make their voting plan, and just like going to the grocery store, wear your mask and wait apart from others.

Nebo Man Killed

A Nebo man was struck and killed on US 321 Wednesday morning after leaving the scene of a previous rear-end collision.

43-year-old Jason Sheh Ali was driving a 2009 Pontiac when reports say he ran into the back of a 2007 Honda stopped at the Mission Road intersection.

Reports indicate Ali briefly spoke with the driver of the Honda and another witness to the mishap before walking into the southbound lanes of US 321 where he was struck by another vehicle and killed.

No charges are expected.

RMC Technologies

RMC Advanced Technologies, a subsidiary of NanoXplore headquartered in Montreal, is expanding its Newton facility.

Over the next three years, RMC plans to create 49 new jobs and invest a minimum of 7-million dollars in new facility construction, machinery and equipment.

A news release states salaries for new employees will vary by position and experience; with an overall average salary higher than the Catawba County average wage.

The company plans to hire a variety of employees for the new manufacturing operation in areas of production, maintenance, quality management, and supply chain logistics.

Hiring is expected to begin early 2021.

The Newton operation will continue to produce body and hood components for major North American truck and bus manufacturers.