Covid-19 Update 

Burke County Public Health reported 4-thousand-584 positive cases of

COVID-19 Sunday, up 103 from Friday’s total. 951 cases are active with

20 patients hospitalized. The 71^st virus related death was reported Friday.

Catawba County reported 139 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, for a current

total of 7-thousand-943 with 77 people hospitalized.

Caldwell County on Saturday reported 46 additional cases of the virus for

a total of 3-thousand-847 along with 27 patients hospitalized. Caldwell

reported the 51^st COVID-19 related death on Friday.

McDowell County reported on Friday 41 new cases of coronavirus for

a total of 1-thousand-944, with 280 people in quarantine.

October Unemployment Rates 

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro unemployment rate for October

was 6.1%. Area county rates include Alexander at 5.4%, Avery 4.6%,

Burke at 5.7%, Caldwell 6.6%, Catawba 6.2% and McDowell at 5.7%.

Watauga County had the lowest October unemployment rate at in the

state at 4.1% according to figures released last week by the North Carolina

Department of Commerce.

Interstate 40 Robbery

An incident involving a disabled vehicle on Interstate-40 earlier this week turns into an armed robbery.

A press release from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says a motorist’s car had broken down last Monday forcing them to leave the vehicle in the westbound emergency lane on Interstate-40 between exits 100 and 103.

Reports say the driver and a passenger were walking away from the car in attempts to obtain a ride to their workplace, when an acquaintance met up with them and told them that someone was inside their car removing items.

As they went back to the car, they observed a female suspect in possession of stolen items taken from inside the car.

The female suspect, reports say, ran back to her own vehicle and was trying to flee the scene.

The friend of the victim tried to detain the suspect by attempting to take her car keys whenever she pointed a small pistol at them.

The release states the female suspect then drove away in her silver Lincoln town car headed west on I-40.

The car reportedly has a broken driver’s side taillight.

Reports say Burke County detectives have a suspect, and the investigation is continuing.