COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health was notified yesterday of the twenty-fifth Covid-19

associated death in Burke County.  The individual was in their 70’s and was

hospitalized and died from underlying medical conditions.  Burke County now has

1,368 cumulative cases.  Of that number 1 thousand and 49 have recovered and 9

are hospitalized.  McDowell County was also notified of a Covid-associated death. 

The Foothills Health District says the patient was a resident of Deer Park Health

and Rehabilitation and is the 4^th death in the County.  365 people have tested

positive for Covid-19 in McDowell County, 15 are residents of Deer Park Health

and 7 are staff members there.  240 patients in McDowell County are out of

quarantine.  Meanwhile Caldwell County has reported the 5^th active outbreak

associated with Covid-19.  The Shaire Center has two employees who tested

positive.  All residents and staff members have been tested and the Center says

they are pleased no residents have tested positive.  Caldwell County has 816 cases

with 395 recovered and 20 hospitalized.  Catawba County saw an increase of 38

yesterday , as the Covid-19 numbers there rose to 1 thousand 5 hundred 68.  952

patients have recovered and 28 are in the hospital.

Drowning Victim Located at Lake James

McDowell County Emergency Management says that shortly before 2 p.m.

yesterday, emergency personnel recovered the body of a man who drowned on

Lake James, Sunday evening.  Crews located the body of forty-five year old

Christopher Michael Morris of Candler in approximately thirty feet of water in an

area west of the Big Island . Morris fell off the bow of a pontoon boat Sunday

evening. Over fifty personnel from nineteen different departments assisted in the

recovery mission which began around 6:22 Sunday evening.  The NC Wildlife

Resources Commission is the main investigating agency.

Lightning Strike  

At least six people were hospitalized yesterday after a severe thunderstorm

rumbled through Avery County causing a lightning strike near a new coaster run. 

Lightning struck the ground near the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner

Elk after the National Weather Service issued the thunderstorm warning around

3:44 p.m.  The ride was closed until Wednesday morning.

Water Pressure Issues 

Water customers in the southern end of Caldwell County can expect low water

pressure today (Wednesday, July 22^nd) as work continues on the water main

break in Granite Falls.  Areas impacted include Dudley Shoals, Grace Chapel,

North Lakes and Granite Falls.  Customers are asked to conserve water over the

next few days and to avoid watering lawns, washing cars, pressure washing and

filling pools.  A boil water advisory is in effect for county water customers in the

southern end of the county.  Water for consumption, should be boiled for at least

one minute or use bottled water.  Infants younger than six months old and

pregnant women should use an alternate water source, like bottled water.