COVID-19 UPDATE

New cases of COVID-19 continue to saturate the Catawba Valley area as the Thanksgiving holiday is rapidly approaching.

Public health officials in Burke County reported 71 new positives Wednesday, with a total case number of 3-thousand-678.

603 cases are reported to be active, while 11 residents remain hospitalized.

Catawba County officials reported three additional COVID related deaths Wednesday; for the second day in a row.

Catawba is currently designated as an orange level alert; showing substantial community spread.

Officials there reported 67 new cases, with a total of 5-thousand-991.

McDowell County reported 11 new positive cases with a total of 1-thousand-530.

202 McDowell residents remain in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 36 new cases of the virus for a total of 3-thousand-140

and two residents at Gateway Rehabilitation & Healthcare tested positive.

Elsewhere, Alexander County is currently seeing critical community spread, with a reported 17-percent positivity rate – presently the highest in the state.

Pair With Drugs

A pair of Marion residents was caught with drugs at a McDowell County license checkpoint.

55-year-old William Darrell Clark was charged with possession of a schedule two controlled substance, while 48-year-old Patricia Annette Chester was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Reports say both were passengers inside a car stopped by officers at a license checkpoint October 31^st.

A search of the vehicles occupants revealed 2 and one-half methadone wafers on Clark, and paraphernalia among Chester’s belongings.

The State Highway Patrol issued multiple citations on scene as well.

Conover Fatality

A two-vehicle crash in Conover Tuesday claimed the life of a motorist.

Reports indicate a box truck and a pickup truck collided on Thornburg Drive just before 5:30 p.m.

The driver of the pickup was killed in the accident.

Conover firefighters and Catawba County EMS responded to the scene.

Conover Police continue to investigate.

Tree Lighting Canceled

Rising COVID-19 concerns causes the cancellation of yet another holiday favorite -

The City of Hickory has decided to cancel the Christmas Tree Lighting scheduled for Friday.

Officials say the decision was a difficult one; however, in light of the Governor’s most recent briefing designating Catawba County’s status for substantial community spread, canceling the event is in the interest of public safety.

A news release says Santa will instead make a surprise visit to magically light the tree in the near future that will be shared on the city’s website and through social media.