COVID-19 Update

17-hundred-68 new positive virus cases confirmed Friday in NC marks the highest single-day increase in the number of positives since the pandemic began.

Those figures coming from state health officials and Governor Cooper’s news conference Friday.

NC health officials report that 10-percent of COVID testing performed in the state is coming back as positive; one of the highest percentages in the nation.

In the last 4 days, NC has reported more than 1-thousand positive cases per day.

Officials say the pace of the increase is concerning.

McDowell County reported five additional positive COVID-19 cases Friday bringing

McDowell’s total to 128. Burke County public health Friday afternoon reports

23 additional positive cases amounting to 786 confirmed cases in Burke.

A news release says community spread is coming from those gathering together in large groups for events like family reunions, funerals, church services, choir practice and/or Bible studies in people’s homes, and parties.

The release says whenever residents gather together especially indoors without using face coverings and not distancing themselves, activities like talking, singing, shouting, and laughing will increase the risk of spread like a wildfire.

Governor Cooper says everyone should remember that NC is still under a safer-at-home recommendation.

Just because we can leave home, doesn’t mean we always should.

Catawba Wants More Testing

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is now

recommending more people get tested for Covid-19.  Catawba County says more

community spread is happening there as the new numbers for Covid continue to

rise.  Diagnostic testing is now recommended for:  Anyone with symptoms

suggestive of Covid-19;  Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of

symptoms; Populations with higher risk of exposure or higher risk of severe

disease if they become infected, if they believe they have been exposed to Covid-

19 regardless of whether they have symptoms of not;  people who have attended

protests, rallies or other mass gatherings.  Diagnostic testing is now widely

available in Catawba County through primary care providers, urgent cares and is

beginning to be offered statewide to some pharmacies.

Assault on Emergency Personnel

A thirty year old Dallas, NC man has been charged with felony assault of

emergency personnel in connection with an incident at the Brendletown Fire

Department.  Jacob Larkin White will make his first appearance in Burke County

court Friday after a fireman attempted to offer assistance to a man, later

identified as White, who was sitting in a vehicle at the Fire Department parking

lot. White declined any assistance, but backed up and pulled off with his vehicle

door striking the fireman.  White was then arrested and placed in the Burke

County Jail under three thousand dollar secured bond.  White was also charged

with additional traffic violations by the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Man Found Dead at State Park

A seventy year old man was found dead on a hiking trail at South Mountains State

Park Thursday afternoon. A researcher with the Park found the unidentified man

on one of the Park’s more difficult hiking trails.  The cause of death will be

determined by the Medical Examiner, but is not thought to be suspicious.  South

Mountain Fire and Rescue, Burke EMS and Burke Emergency Management all

responded to the call.

Hickory Arson Arrest

Hickory Police arrest a man Thursday who allegedly set two fires at separate businesses last month.

28-year-old Marco Antonio Rios is charged with one felony count of burning certain buildings and one felony count of burning personal property in connection with the reported arson that occurred on May 21^st.

Reports say Hickory firefighters responded to Taylor Law Firm on 10^th Avenue Drive Northeast and found the building ablaze, with flames coming from the roof and rear of the structure.

While battling that fire, firefighters were also summoned to Custom Design Group also on 10^th Avenue Drive Northeast and discovered a trash can on fire.

A news release states during an initial investigation, it was determined the fire was intentionally set.

Video surveillance near the fire scene captured a male with dark hair who was later identified as Rios.

He is being held in the Catawba County jail under a 12-thousand-500 dollar secured bond.

Anyone with additional information about the case is urged to call Hickory Police at 328-5551.

Sex Abuse Charges

A Marion man faces sex abuse charges.

44-year-old Jonathan Francis Schabilion of Four Wheel Drive is charged with second-degree forcible rape and second-degree forcible sex offense.

Reports filed with the McDowell Sheriff’s Office say Schabilion is accused of having forcible sexual contact with a 32-year-old woman with whom he is acquainted.