COVID-19 Update

Another Burke County resident has died with COVID-19, bringing the number of local deaths from the virus to 121.

A news release says the individual was in their 80’s, was hospitalized, but later died from virus related complications.

Public Health officials Thursday afternoon reported 50 new cases in Burke County, with a total of positives amounting to 8-thousand-835.

1-thousand-18 cases are active, and 10 Burke County residents are now hospitalized.

In McDowell County, health officials reported 3 additional COVID-19 deaths Thursday and 20 new positives.

McDowell County has now had 67 residents to die from the virus, with a total of cases at 4-thousand-343.

218 McDowell individuals are in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported four additional COVID-19 related deaths bringing the county's total to 119. New cases of coronavirus numbered 25 for a total of 8-thousand-70 with 27 people in the hospital.

Catawba County saw an increase of 93 additional cases of the virus for a current total of 15-thousand-856, with 93 patients hospitalized.

McLeod Retires

Burke County Health Director Rebecca McLeod announced her upcoming retirement in a news release Thursday afternoon.

After 34 years of service with Burke Public Health, McLeod will retire July 1st.

McLeod began her career in Cleveland County, before accepting a position in Burke.

She has been the Burke County Public Health Director for the past 9 years.

Shelby Shooting

An argument between two teenagers on social media Wednesday evening in Shelby ended with the shooting of a mother and daughter.

Police reports say the shooting happened just before 9 at a Gold Street residence.

35-year-old Kenya Youngblood was discovered by first responders with several gunshot wounds to her lower body, while her 16-year-old daughter suffered a wound to her leg.

Investigators report the shooting may have stemmed from an online disagreement between the teen and another girl.

As the two were attempting to settle the matter in person, reports say Youngblood tried to intervene.

Shots reportedly came from the crowd surrounding those arguing – phone videos captured the shots, but not the shooter’s face.

No arrests have been made, and the case remains under investigation.

The victims were transported to Atrium Health Cleveland and are expected to be okay.