COVID-19 UPDATE

Numbers remain on the increase in Burke County as COVID-19 positive cases grows by 25 since Tuesday, with a total now of 2-thousand-579.

341 of those cases are reported to be active, 2-thousand-172 have recovered, and 10 people remain hospitalized – according to the latest figures on the county’s website.

McDowell County public health reports 8 new positive cases Wednesday, with a total of 1-thousand-7 positives.

133 individuals there are in quarantine, and 844 are out of quarantine.

Caldwell County reported a cluster at MDI, the fifth business with five cases or more of COVID-19 to be identified.

Meanwhile, the Burke County Health Department will be hosting one more drive thru flu clinic this week at their location on 700 East Parker Road in Morganton.

The clinic will be today from 3 until 6 pm – appointments are preferred but drive ins are also welcome.

Kidnapping Update

McDowell County detectives have now spoken to a Spruce Pine woman previously believed to be a kidnap victim.

Lawmen report 23-year-old Vidalia Jane Freeman is not in any danger at this time.

The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office had stated Freeman was last seen around 10 Monday night at a Marion residence on Old Toms Creek Road.

Authorities believed she may have been abducted; however, detectives were able to speak with her on Wednesday.

Hickory Utility Assist

Hickory residential utility customers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for utility assistance.

The funding assistance comes through a partnership program between the City of Hickory and Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry.

Hickory entered into the agreement in July to make use of Community Development Block Grant funding from the CARES Act for just under 156-thousand dollars to make emergency grant payments for utility bills on behalf of needy households.

The grant payment period was extended from 3 months to 6 months with capped funding per household at 100-dollars.

For more information about the program and detailed eligibility requirements, contact the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry at 828-327-0979.