Burke County Health officials announced Wednesday that  there are two additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing total cases to 8 in Burke.

A news release says the new cases consist of both traveling and community spread; while both are reported to be in isolation.

And another McDowell County resident has tested positive; also bringing the number of confirmed cases to 8 for McDowell.

The McDowell County Health Department reports the patient is in isolation and their illness has been linked to out of state travel.

The state department of health and human services report 15-hundred-84 individuals statewide who have tested positive for coronavirus; while at least 9 have died.

Officials report the median age for those who’ve tested positive is 46 years; while those who have died from the virus have been 70-percent over the age of 65.

Governor Cooper told county leaders Tuesday he expected the virus to be present in all 100 counties by the end of the week.

So far, COVID-19 has been reported in 57 counties.

Health experts predict 20-percent of cases in the state will require hospital care, while 80-percent of individuals will contract mild symptoms.

Meanwhile, the NC Attorney General’s office reports state businesses have been forced to lay off 300-thousand workers in the last two weeks.

Reports show that more than 20-thousand NC residents last Sunday filed online for unemployment benefits.

Tony Lowdermilk officially assumed the role of Morganton Public Safety Chief Wednesday.

A news release states Lowdermilk fills the role after a successful tenure as interim chief that began January 31^st.

Lowdermilk has been with Morganton Public Safety for more than 25 years, beginning as a public safety officer in 1994.