COVID-19 UPDATE

Caldwell County recorded 13 new cases of Covid 19 yesterday bringing the total

to 209.  Of that number, 96 have recovered and six are hospitalized.  In Catawba

County there are 8 new cases of Covid-19.  Catawba County’s total now is 310

with 98 recovered and 9 hospitalized.  That is the highest number of hospitalized

cases so far in Catawba. McDowell County reported four new cases of COVID-19

Monday, bringing McDowell’s total to 107.

The highest 24-hour increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke County to date – with 684 cases.

That’s an increase of 134 cases since the weekend.

Burke County public health officials report the increase is due in large part to increased testing among companies and individuals.

A news release urges citizens to remember that the more testing that occurs, positive cases will continue to increase.

Employees and residents at J Iverson Riddle Center were due to begin testing Monday.

The news release also states the more that people continue to get out in the community; at parties, church gatherings, family reunions, the greater chance for spread.

Health officials continue to encourage residents who cannot stay at home to follow the 3 W’s; wear a face covering, wait 6 feet from others, and wash hands frequently.

Should you have further questions, call the Burke County Public Information line at their new number 764-9168 Monday through Friday 8 am till 5 pm.

After hours and weekends, leave a message and a staff member will call you back.

Schools Reopening Concerns

Governor Roy Cooper has outlined three possible scenarios for reopening schools

in August, but says the North Carolina covid-19 metrics are moving in the wrong

direction to allow schools to reopen without increased safety measures.  The

Governor said three plans are

being looked at.  Plan “A” which is minimal social distancing of students; Plan “B”,

which is moderate social distancing of students, and Plan “C” which is remote

learning.  The final decision on which plan will be adopted will be made and

announced by July 1^st.   North Carolina saw some of its highest Covid-19 numbers

over the weekend.

I-40 Shooting

Two Nebo women traveling on Interstate-40 in McDowell County late Sunday night were fired upon by another motorist.

Reports say shortly before midnight, 22-year-old Shelbi Dillingham and 51-year-old Leann Dillingham were headed west near exit 90 when met by a barrage of bullets from men in a dark-colored car with tinted windows.

The women pulled over while the suspect vehicle continued westbound.

Both were taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying and apprehending the suspects.

Anyone having information should call the McDowell Sheriff’s Office at 652-2237 or Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Newton Shooting

A man is in stable condition at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after an

altercation in Newton ended in a shooting Monday.  The 1:15 p.m. incident

happened on the 100 block of Sarah Avenue as a group of men got into an

altercation.  A shot was fired and a man with life threatening injuries showed up

later at Catawba Valley Medical Center.  He was then sent to Wake Forest Baptist

Medical Center.  Anyone with any information into the shooting should call 828-

465-7430.

Prep Sports Can Resume

High School sports are scheduled to resume June 15^th, but with restrictions.

The decision was made by the NC High School Athletic Association’s Board of Directors during a video conference call on Friday.

The current ‘dead period’ will be lifted on the 15^th that began in March and has undergone three extensions due to COVID-19.

Each individual school system will be permitted to make their own decisions regarding when to begin summer activities.

The association has created a guideline plan intended to help school administrators, coaches, parents, students, and communities navigate a gradual reopening of high school athletics.

All teams will be initially allowed to begin limited workouts with monitored training.

Administrators are being told to prepare for the possibility of recurrent virus outbreaks in the coming months.

The association, reports say, will continue to develop policies regarding practice sessions and competition during temporary school closures, the cancellation of contests during the regular season, and parameters for the cancellation or premature ending to post season events.