COVID-19 Update

State health officials released a statement Friday saying ‘We are now seeing the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings’ as numbers of COVID-19  statewide continue to grow.

Burke County Public Health Sunday a total  of 5-thousand-47.

1-thousand-16 cases are reported to be active, while 23 remain hospitalized.

In McDowell County, health officials Friday reported 57 new cases, making their total amount to 2-thousand-257 positives.

420 McDowell residents remain in quarantine.

Caldwell County Saturday reported the 53rd COVID-19 related death, with 39 new cases of the virus and a total of 4-thousand-336.

Catawba County Sunday had an additional 120 cases of coronavirus for a total of 9-thousand-119.

NC Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen on Friday described the number of new cases in the state - as staggering and alarming.

Dr. Cohen pleads with state residents – do not wait until you or your loved one is sick or alone in the hospital, or you are facing the loss of a loved one to wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash your hands often. Act now.

In the statement, Cohen reminded residents too that the Modified Stay At Home Order  was going to effect; requiring people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am.

Businesses including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, most retail stores and more will be required to close by 10 pm.

In addition, on-site alcohol consumption sales must end by 9 pm.

McDowell Goes Remote

McDowell County Schools returned to remote learning today.

School Superintendent Mark Garrett announced that as COVID-19 numbers are rising.

The school’s webpage indicates 49 active cases in 14 McDowell schools.

Garrett reports students will learn remotely through Christmas break.

He said that community spread and potential exposure is having a large impact on classroom isolations and creating staffing challenges.

Just last week, Hildebran Elementary and Icard Elementary in Burke County transitioned from in-person instruction to remote learning because of positive cases at the schools.

Fatal Wreck

The investigation continues into the fatal wreck Thursday night

off East Meeting Street. The mishap, which occurred after a vehicle fled

at a high rate of speed after being stopped by a Public Safety officer.

The driver, 20-year-old Tiffany Rene Traylor of Hickory, was taken

by EMS for Medflight, but died enroute. A passenger in the rear seat

was pronounced dead at the scene at the scene and another rear

seat passenger was flown by Medflight to Johnson City Medical

Center with traumatic injuries in critical condition. Those names

have not been released. The front seat passenger, 20-year-old

Matthew Lovette of North Wilkesboro was ejected from the

vehicle and taken to CHS Morganton and released the next day.

The Highway Patrol’s crash reconstruction team is assisting

Morganton Public Safety with the incident.