COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health officials Friday afternoon released an updated COVID-19 case count; Burke now has a total of 9-thousand-687 positive cases – that’s 32 additional cases since Monday.

Latest figures show that 261 cases are reported to be active, and 2 Burke residents remain in the hospital.

McDowell County health officials reported 3 new cases Friday for a total now of 4-thousand-870 cases.

35 individuals in McDowell are in quarantine.*

Meanwhile, people in Group 4 – adults 16 to 64 years old who are at high risk for exposure and increased risk of severe illness, along with homeless persons, and those who are incarcerated are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The rest of Group 4 including other essential workers and people in close group living settings will become eligible Wednesday March 31^st, while all adults 16 and older will be allowed the vaccine on April 7^th.

In Burke County, you can schedule a vaccine appointment by calling 828-358-4454 or go online to chsbr.org/vaccine.

Executive Order In Effect

The new executive order easing some COVID-19 restrictions in NC is now in effect.

Last week Governor Cooper announced the order which went into effect at 5 Friday afternoon, and expires on April 30^th.

Retail stores, salons, and museums are a few of the businesses that are allowed to resume full capacity, with physical distancing measures and face coverings still required.

Restaurants, gyms, amusement parks, wineries, and other specified businesses can open to 75-percent capacity; while bars, movie theaters, sports arenas and auditoriums can open to 50-percent capacity.

The state’s department of health and human services Dr. Mandy Cohen reports NC is in a promising place; with virus key metrics improving and vaccinations increasing, the easing of restrictions are being guided by science and data.

 

NC 181 Fatality

A Morganton woman was killed Thursday afternoon in a one-car crash on NC 181.

Reports with the NC Highway Patrol say around 2:20 , 43-year-old Carrie Collins Ollis was driving south in a Toyota four-runner when she ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected; causing her to cross the center line then running off the left side of the highway, and striking a utility pole and embankment.

The collision further caused the utility pole to fall into the road striking a northbound vehicle being driven by 19-year-old Mandi Lowe of Morganton.

Lowe was not injured according to reports.

Ollis died from her injuries, reports say, while being transported to the hospital by Burke County EMS.

The investigating trooper reported Ollis was not wearing a seatbelt, and impairment was not suspected.

Thursday’s torrential rainfall and slick road conditions could have been a factor in the accident authorities say.

Oak Hill Fire and Rescue and Burke REACt assisted at the scene.