Burke COVID

As NC moves into Phase 3 of the reopening process today at 5pm, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Burke County continues to mount.

A news release issued by public health officials Thursday afternoon show Burke with a total of 2-thousand-451 positives; an additional 25 cases from Wednesday.

In the release, local officials sternly warn residents to avoid community spread by remaining at home when sick.

The release says quote, ‘We are six months into this pandemic and the state is trying to reopen businesses and return to some type of normal, but we will not be able to keep things open if residents who are sick continue to go out and pass COVID-19 along with other infections…’

Officials go on to say ‘It is extremely important for those who are sick with any infection including COVID-19, those who have been in close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, or anyone who has been tested for COVID-19 and waiting on test results to stay at home and not be around other people for any reason.’

In Thursday’s release, Burke County health workers urge everyone to do their part, whether they believe in this infection or not, so others will not get sick.

Burke currently has 315 active cases, 2-thousand-67 recovered, and 6 hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 12 new positive cases, for a total 962 cases.

McDowell health officials continue to monitor 3 separate outbreaks in the county; at 2 long term care facilities, and at the Marion Correctional Institution.

Caldwell County reported 12 new cases of COVID for a total of 1-thousand-725, with

Catawba County recording 47 additional cases for a total of 3-thousand-254.

August Unemployment Rates

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro unemployment rate for August

was 6.8 %. Area county rates include Alexander at 6.4%, Avery 5%,

Burke at 6.3%, Caldwell 7.3%, Catawba 7% and McDowell at 5.9%.

Watauga County was one of two counties with the lowest rate in

August at 4.6%, according to figures released Wednesday by the

North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Area Distributor Expands

An area wholesale grocery distributor plans to invest $120 million to

expand its services and operations, creating 111 jobs. Governor

Cooper announced on Wednesday, that Merchants Distributors, LLC.,

anticipates adding about 200,000 square feet to its Caldwell County

facilities. Although wages for the new jobs will vary depending on

position, the average salary will be more than $51,000, above the

current average wage in Caldwell County of just over $40,000.