COVID-19 Update

Burke County Public Health reported another COVID-related death Friday, with a total now of 122 Burke residents having died from the virus during the pandemic.

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

33 new positive cases were reported in Burke County Friday afternoon.

Burke is currently at 8-thousand-868 cases, while 1-thousand-45 cases are reported to be active and 10 residents remain hospitalized.

McDowell County public health reported 19 new positive cases of the virus, and two additional deaths Friday.

McDowell’s total cases amount to 4-thousand-362, with 207 residents still in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 20 new cases of coronavirus Friday, for a total of 8-thousand-90 and 27 people are in the hospital.

On Sunday, Catawba County saw an increase of 58 additional cases of COVID-19 for a total of 16-thousand-94, with 92 patients hospitalized.

NC Drop in Flu

North Carolinians have protected themselves and others from the flu along with COVID-19 by taking preventive measures such as wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer often.

These practices have helped dramatically reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses across the state – that according to data from the state’s department of health and human services.

NC has seen very low levels of influenza this year, while only four deaths from flu have been reported so far this season, compared to 186 deaths from flu last season.

State officials say the flu can place a major strain on the healthcare system causing between 9 million and 45 million illnesses throughout the US yearly.

Reductions in flu and other respiratory viruses have freed up more capacity for hospitals and staff to treat COVID-19 cases.

Old Fort Fire

A plant worker in Old Fort was seriously injured Thursday as the result of a propane-involved flash fire.

Emergency personnel were called to the Auria plant just after 12 noon at 1506 East Main Street.

Reports say a contractor was working on a vaporizer outside the facility when the incident occurred.

The victim was reported to be in serious condition and was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Med Center in Winston Salem.

Originally named Collins and Aikman, the Old Fort plant later became International Automotive Components in 2007, and in 2017 the name was changed to Auria when it came under new ownership.

Mulch Sale

Just in time for spring planting, the City of Hickory will soon begin its mulch sale.

The mulch will be available Friday and Saturday February 12^th and 13^th .

Hickory’s yard waste facility hours are 8 am until 1 pm on Fridays and Saturdays next weekend beginning February 12^th.

The facility is located on Cloninger Mill Road off NC 127 near the bridge that crosses Lake Hickory.

The hours will remain the same until all of the mulch is gone.

For more information, call Hickory Public Services at 828-323-7500.