First cases of coronavirus were reported Tuesday in Burke, McDowell

and Caldwell Counties. The Burke County Health Director was

notified by the State Lab that two people tested positive for COVID-19.

One is a Burke County resident and one is a resident of another NC

County . The individuals are in isolation.

In McDowell County, the Foothills Health District announced that

two people tested positive for COVID-19. Health Department

Officials believe that the first individual who tested positive was

exposed to the virus during an out of state trip. The second individual

had close contact with the first patient, who traveled out of state.

Both patients and their family are quarantined at their home and are well.

And the Caldwell County Health Department, in collaboration with

Caldwell UNC Health Care announced the county’s first positive case

of COVID-19. The patient has been instructed to remain in isolation

until they are fever free for 72 hours without medication and/or symptom

free for seven days.

Also on Tuesday, Governor Cooper requested a major declaration for the

State due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on North Carolina.

In requesting the major disaster declaration, the Governor asked the

federal government to provide individual assistance for those affected,

including crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and

Small Business Administration assistance, among other programs.