COVID-19 Update and Vaccine

53 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Burke County Thursday pushing the total of positives to 4-thousand-828.

Health officials indicate 1-thousand-5 cases are active and 21 Burke County residents are hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 43 new cases, and one additional virus-related death.

McDowell’s total of positives is currently at 2-thousand-165, while 445 residents remain in quarantine.

Relief may be in sight though as the vaccine makes its way to area hospitals.

If approved by the FDA on today, reports say 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine is due to arrive soon at Caldwell UNC Healthcare in Lenoir.

Other hospitals in the area are also on tap to get similar amounts of the vaccine – including Catawba Valley Memorial in Catawba County, and Carolinas Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton.

The state has chosen hospitals to receive the first batch because of their capability for storage.

The Pfizer vaccine reportedly requires steady temperatures of minus-80 degrees Celsius.

Healthcare workers who treat COVID-19 patients will be the first in line to be offered the vaccine.

Officials say they hope to have enough vaccine to begin drive-thru clinics after the first of the year, but they add it could take months before the majority of the population is vaccinated. 

Hildebran Goes Remote 

Hildebran Elementary School transitions from in-person to remote learning after officials report an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Burke County Public Schools was made aware of a cluster of at least five or more related positive cases at the school on Tuesday.

Remote instruction will continue through Monday December 21^st while the school building is closed.

A news release says there will be no activity at the school for at least several days to allow the virus to dissipate.

Hildebran Elementary principal Randy Sain notified parents Tuesday of the positive cases.

The school is working closely with the Burke County Health Department for guidance and to assist in identifying those who may have been exposed to the virus.

Officials say parents and staff who do not hear from the school nurse should know they are not considered to have been exposed.

Parents having questions about their child’s health should contact their physician or the Burke Health Department’s public information line at 828-764-9168.

DNA Found

The discovery of a suspect’s DNA at a crime scene in McDowell County leads to the arrest of an Old Fort man.

32-year-old Jerrid Baston Wells of Old Fort-Sugar Hill Road is charged with larceny.

According to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office, Wells’ DNA was found at a November 14^th crime scene on Parker Padgett Road where a resident reported the theft of a heat pump, a dump trailer, and a tractor battery.