COVID-19 UPDATE

Occurrences of death from the coronavirus continue to rise in Burke County, as health officials reported Monday, the 48^th COVID-19 associated death.

A news release states the individual was in their 70’s and was not hospitalized when they died from underlying medical conditions.

Burke County public health reports an increase of 32 positive cases since Saturday, pushing the total number of positives to 2-thousand-524.

330 cases in Burke are active, 2-thousand-136 are reported as recovered, and 9 are hospitalized.

McDowell County reports 22 new positive cases Monday, with a total of 992 positives.

Another individual in McDowell, reports say, has died from COVID-19 bringing the death toll there to 29.

Catawba County reported 12 new positive cases of COVID-19 yesterday with a total of 3-thousand-361.

Caldwell County confirmed an outbreak Monday, at Focus Behavioral Health's Burkwell residential facility with six cases linked to the outbreak. Caldwell reported an additional 38 positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 1-thousand-818 positives.

Flu Shot Clinics

And as the pandemic lingers, it’s hard to believe it’s already time to begin thinking about getting the flu vaccine.

The Burke County Health Department is hosting drive thru flu shot clinics this week at their location at 700 East Parker Road in Morganton.

The first clinic is today from 3 until 7 pm, then another on Wednesday from 9 am until Noon, and lastly on Thursday from 3 until 6 pm.

Appointments are preferred but drive ins are welcome.

Have your Medicaid and/or Medicare Part B or Blue Cross Blue Shield cards with you at the flu clinic.

If you do not have these types of insurance, the flu vaccine will cost 30-dollars.

Health Department officials say there is a limited supply of the vaccine, but will be giving them at the outdoor drive thru clinic as long as they last.

To complete paperwork before arriving at the clinic, visit burkenc.org-slash-1221-slash-health-hyphen-department.

Bring the completed flu consent form with you to the clinic.

Escapee Captured

An escapee from the Catawba County Correctional Center was apprehended by Hickory Police early Monday morning.

Reports say 49-year-old Johnny Setzer was arrested on D Avenue Drive Southeast after allegedly stealing a car in Maiden.

Setzer, reports say, was injured during the escape attempt while climbing over razor wire.

He was transported to a local hospital for cuts to his hands.

Setzer reportedly tried to flee from the Newton-based facility around 7 a.m. Monday.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Maiden Police, the Department of Corrections, and Catawba County EMS assisted at the arrest scene.

WNC Fire Depts

Sunday was the official start to Fire Prevention Week across the country as sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.

Volunteer fire departments in 3 western NC counties were on Monday presented with more than 200-thousand dollars in ceremonial checks by the Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey.

Causey visited departments in Cleveland, Rutherford, and Polk counties to hear concerns from firefighters.

The theme of this year’s campaign – ‘Serving up fire safety in the kitchen.’

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

Established in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association is devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards.