Governor Roy Cooper assures North Carolinians that our state is prepared for the corona virus dubbed COVID-19.

Cooper reports local health department officials are working to identify exposures to help contain the illness.

A man in Wake County who had traveled to Washington state has tested positive for the virus but continues to do well at home in isolation according to officials.

The governor says the state’s task force and state agencies are working closely with local health officials and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that may occur.

Atrium Health infection prevention says no one should panic over the virus and that prevention is much like what we do every flu season.

They say people can protect themselves by frequent hand washing, staying three to six feet away from others who are sick and avoiding handshakes for now.

Also those with flu-like symptoms should stay away from elderly people and avoid hospitals and waiting rooms if possible.

A Morganton woman with an outstanding warrant for arrest is also charged with drug possession by Burke County authorities.

Last Friday, reports say a Burke deputy observed 44-year-old Lisa Rhom Barlow of 1080 Lloyd Beaver Road at a convenience store off Jamestown Road.

The officer realized Barlow had an open warrant for failure to appear/failure to comply when he approached her.

During a search as part of her arrest, the deputy found meth in her possession.

Barlow was then charged with meth possession and received an 18-thousand dollar secured bond.

She was held at the Burke County jail with a court date set for March 20^th.

A couple of community reminders –

Contractors begin installing a new water line on Rader Circle in Chesterfield Friday.

The installation is expected to take roughly a month.

Officials say no customers are expected to lose water during the installation.

Once the project is complete, the new water line should decrease the amount of water line breaks and repairs that occur in the area.

Should customers experience a loss of water service during install, call the City of Morganton Water Resources Department at 438-5276.

And –

City Walk contractors will conduct construction testing at the NC 127 pedestrian bridge in Hickory next week.

The testing requires the closure of the inside northbound lane o NC 127 between First Avenue Northeast and First Avenue Southeast on Monday March 9^th from 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm.

The work zone will be clearly marked while drivers are reminded to exercise caution and follow signage when traveling through this area.