COVID-19 UPDATE

Caldwell Public Health was notified yesterday of 7 additional coronavirus related

deaths.  Six of the patients had underlying conditions.  In addition, the county saw

122 new cases reported yesterday with 61 patients hospitalized.  Catawba

County was notified of one death yesterday bringing the total to 151.  Catawba

recorded 116 new cases of Covid-19 with 106 patients hospitalized.  Overall, 11,

159 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Catawba County since March,

while 8,786 have recovered.

The death toll from COVID-19 in Burke County continues to mount as health officials Tuesday afternoon reported the seventy-eighth and seventy-ninth virus-related deaths.

A news release says one individual was in their 70’s and died at home, while one was in their 80’s, was hospitalized but later died from COVID-19 related complications.

Burke County health officials now report a total of 5-thousand-909 positives, 24 additional cases from Monday.

976 cases are reported to still be active, and 22 Burke residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 77 new positive cases Tuesday, and one additional COVID-19 related death.

McDowell’s total cases amount to 2-thousand-967, while 464 residents are quarantined.

Frontline workers in McDowell began receiving the county’s first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday during a drive-thru clinic.

21 doses were administered to those workers deemed most at risk for exposure to the virus.

 

Chase and Arrest

A Lenoir man just released from prison leads authorities in Polk County on a high speed chase last week.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on December 22^nd occupied by 38-year-old Joshua Tolbert of Lenoir and 44-year-old Jimmy Mask of Rutherfordton.

Reports indicate Tolbert had been released from a NC prison only three days prior to the incident, while Mask was released in March of this year.

As deputies tried to stop their vehicle, they fled from officers reaching high rates of speed while throwing items from the car.

Officials say the pursuit ended in a field in Spartanburg County where Tolbert and Mask were taken into custody.

Deputies, reports say, found the two were trafficking amounts of methamphetamine as well as psychedelic mushrooms, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Tolbert and Mask were taken to the Spartanburg County detention center to face charges in SC, and will also face extradition back to NC.

Energy Assist

The state’s department of health and human services today announced that beginning Monday January 4^th, households can apply online for the low income energy assistance program and the crisis intervention program.

The low income energy assistance program is a seasonal service that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.

Applications will be accepted through March 31^st or until funds are exhausted.

The Crisis Intervention Program is a year-round service that assists those who are experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis due to a life threatening or health related emergency.

Applications will be accepted until June 30^th or until funds are exhausted.

For more information on these energy assistance programs, visit ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services.

Applicants can also call their county department of social services to apply by phone.