Stage 2 Opens Today

Burke County reports the largest 24-hour increase in positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic. 

A news release from public health officials this afternoon states Burke County is currently at 251 positive cases of COVID-19; up 33 cases since Wednesday.

Although, health workers say as communities across the state increases testing, the numbers of positive and negative results will also increase.

The release states it is still very important to follow the ‘safer at home’ recommendations for those who are high risk; even though more businesses will begin reopening today as part of the Phase 2 plan.

The governor’s new executive order begins this afternoon at 5, and eases restrictions on such businesses as salons and restaurants.

Some businesses will remain closed including bars, night clubs, gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and public playgrounds.

Restaurants will be able to open for dine-in customers at 50-percent capacity, with distancing and cleaning requirements.

Personal care businesses like salons and barbers can also open at 50-percent capacity, with face covering and cleaning requirements.

Phase 2 will last for five weeks.

Catawba County added six new cases of Covid-19 Thursday bringing the total

number of cases to 133.  Of that number, 55 have recovered and 4 are

hospitalized. Caldwell County now has 95 Covid 19 cases.  In McDowell County, 4

additional residents have tested positive for the virus bringing the total number of

positives to 38.  Currently in McDowell, there are 9 individuals in quarantine, 28

out of quarantine and one death.  And Avery County, the last county in North

Carolina to have a Covid-19 case, has recorded their second case Thursday.

MIS-C Case 

The state’s department of health and human services is reporting its first case of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, associated with COVID-19.

While children generally experience mild symptoms with the virus, a recent connection between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease in some children and teenagers has been discovered.

Health care providers across NC are monitoring patients for possible cases.

To protect the family’s privacy, the patient’s age and other specific information about the case will not be released.

State health officials say MIS-C is a very rare condition, but as COVID-19 cases increase, additional reports of the syndrome could follow.

Most children with the syndrome have fever of at least 100-point-4 degrees lasting several days.

Other symptoms may include irritability, decreased activity, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Call your child’s doctor immediately if your child has a persistent fever or other symptoms.

MIS-C is not contagious; however, children with such symptoms may have COVID-19 or another infection that may be contagious.

Burke Teacher of the Year

Andrea Gladden, Project Lead the Way teacher at East Burke Middle School, has

been named the Burke County Public Schools 2020 teacher of the year.  Gladden

is in her 18^th year of teaching and her second year at East Burke Middle.  She

previously taught fifth grade at Icard Elementary School for 16 years.  Gladden will

go on now to represent Burke County on the District level.

Hickory Wi-Fi Downtown

Visitors to downtown Hickory will soon enjoy free Wi-Fi via CommScope and the

City of Hickory.  Downtown guests will have access to Wi-Fi signal throughout the

Union Square area.  CommScope and its affiliates have donated a number of

products to make the installation possible.  The Wi-Fi will help Hickory City visitors

and residents to connect and engage for free while in the Union Square area.

McDowell Drug Arrest

A traffic stop in McDowell County leads to a drug arrest.

18-year-old Kevin Jacob Suttles of Miller Avenue in Marion was stopped for traffic violations and subsequently charged with felony possession of marijuana.

Reports say officers discovered 5-point-3 ounces of marijuana inside Suttles vehicle.