COVID-19 Update

Catawba County recorded the 234 positive case of COVID-19 yesterday.  That

number is up 11 from Sunday.  Of that total, 86 have recovered and five patients

are hospitalized.  Caldwell County’s COVID-19 total increased by 18 yesterday for

a total of 161.  73 of those cases have recovered and four patients are

hospitalized.   In Burke County, an Eastern Burke County Drive Thru Covid-19

testing clinic will be held Wednesday, June 3^rd at East Burke Middle School. 

Testing is only for Burke County residents and those seeking testing should bring

their driver’s license and insurance card if you have insurance coverage. Please do

not line up early, gates will open at 9 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m.  You will stay in

your car for a long period of time so please bring plenty of patience.  There will be

no access to any bathrooms during the testing.

Burke County Health officials Monday afternoon report the sixteenth death in Burke from COVID-19 related complications.

A news release states the individual was in their 30’s who suffered from underlying medical conditions, and had tested positive for the virus.

According to the release, health workers say the cases of community spread continue to rise within the county, as some Burke County residents do not follow the Governor’s Executive Order regarding gathering inside and outside in large numbers.

Such gatherings, the release indicates, potentially continue to spread the infection.

Officials state it remains imperative for those testing positive to stay at home.

Since Saturday in Burke County, there have been 42 positive cases of COVID-19 reported to local health officials; as Burke’s total climbs to 451.

Statewide the latest figures show there are 29-thousand-263 positive cases of COVID-19; while nearly 15-thousand NC residents are presumed recovered.

Case Farms Protest

A group protesting outside a Morganton chicken-processing plant Monday is asking for better working conditions amidst a COVID-19 outbreak.

Reports say members of Asheville Animal Save gathered outside Case Farms to ask for improvements for employees and for the animals there.

A member of the organization stated protesters are in solidarity with the Case Farms employees who have to decide if they want to get sick or if they want to pay their bills.

The state department of health and human services has not released how many cases exist at Case Farms, but stated last month that two cases qualify as an outbreak.

Workers at the chicken processing plant say there are precautions in place including masks and face shields, but they’re still concerned for their safety.

Case Farms employees told reporters the plant intends to conduct widespread testing beginning today.

Caldwell Convenience Site Changes

Caldwell County’s smaller convenience sites now have new operating hours.  The

sites, located at Collettsville, Coy Miller Road, Dug Hill and Morris Creek are open

Wednesdays and Fridays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.    The

sites are four household waste and recycling only.  The following recyclables are

acceptable, newsprint or magazine, clear, green and brown glass, aluminum or

steel cans, plastic drink or milk containers, used motor all, used automotive
batteries.  Items not acceptable at any center other than the landfill are tires, yard

waste, construction or destruction materials, dried old paint, and commercial,

industrial and out of county waste.

YMCA Summer Day Camp

The YMCA of Catawba Valley is expanding their partnership with New Dimensions

Charter School in Morganton by providing a traditional day camp program

beginning June 8^th on the New Dimensions Campus.  In a press release from the

“Y”, the noted community goal this year is to stop summer learning loss.  Summer

camp programs will help bridge the learning loss gap by providing small group

tutoring sessions designed to keep campers on target or exceed grade level

readiness,    The “Y” is also partnering with the US Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention by keeping campers and staff safe.  If you have questions or need

information, visit camp ymcacy dot org or call 828-324-2858

RNC Deadline

The Republican National Committee says it wants to hear from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper by Wednesday on whether the state can fully accommodate the party's national convention in August this summer.

The letter sent Saturday by the RNC Chairwoman to Cooper comes a day after Cooper talked by phone with President Trump about the issue.

The two reportedly disagreed about the viability of a full-fledged convention.

The convention is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 24 in Charlotte.

Trump and Republicans have said they want no coronavirus-related restrictions on attendance or hotel and restaurant capacity.

 Cooper's administration has said it needs details from Republicans on how they plan to hold a convention with up to 20,000 delegates and others safely.

The letter from the RNC states that the party needs to hear from Cooper by Wednesday about the viability of a full convention.

Cooper's press office said Sunday that once they respond to the RNC, they will share the response publicly.