COVID Deaths

Burke County Public Health now reports there have been 82 deaths in Burke from COVID-19, three reported Wednesday.

Officials say two individuals were in their 80’s, and one in their 100’s.

A news release states one was hospitalized, while two were not; but all three died from COVID-related complications.

Burke reported a record high number of additional positive cases Wednesday afternoon – 197 since Tuesday, pushing the total case number over the 6-thousand mark.

950 cases are reported to be active and 23 Burke County residents remain hospitalized with COVID.

In McDowell County, health officials reported 47 new positives, and 2 additional deaths Wednesday.

3-thousand-14 residents in McDowell have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began, and 509 individuals are in quarantine.

Catawba was notified Wednesday of an additional 10 deaths bringing the total to 161. 

147 new cases were reported in Catawba County yesterday with 113 hospitalizations. 

Some 11, 306 people have tested positive for Covid-19 since March and 9,833

have recovered.  Caldwell Public Health reports another death from coronavirus

complications yesterday.  77 patients there have died since the pandemic began

in March.  Caldwell reported 138 new cases Wednesday with 59 hospitalizations. 

5750 people have tested positive for the virus overall with 2931 recovered to

date.

2nd Inmate Dies from COVID-19 

Another inmate at the Alexander Correctional Center has died from coronavirus

complications.  The male, who was in his late 50’s, had tested positive on

December 8^th and entered the hospital.  His condition worsened and he died on

Tuesday, according to the NC Department of Public Safety.  He did suffer

from underlying health conditions.

Vaccine Rollout

Meanwhile, US health officials report a new variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Colorado, while virus hospitalizations across the country remain at record highs.

To combat the virus dilemma, State health experts have announced an updated vaccination plan to align with new federal recommendations.

The plan aims to simplify the vaccine process and continue the state’s commitment to first protect health care workers caring for those with COVID-19, people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying from the virus, and those at high risk of exposure.

A news release indicates vaccine supplies are currently limited, forcing states to make the vaccine available in phases.

According to State Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, it will be several months before vaccines are widely available to everyone.

NC is currently in Phase 1-A in which health care workers fighting COVID-19 and long term care staff and residents are being vaccinated.

Phase 1-B includes adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers.

Phase 2 of the plan calls for vaccinating adults at high risk for exposure and those with an increased risk of severe illness.

College and high school students 16 or older will receive the vaccine in Phase 3, while Phase 4 allows anyone wanting the vaccine to be vaccinated.

To view the updated vaccine roll out plan, visit ncdhhs.gov/press-releases.

Eviction Moratorium

Governor Cooper has extended NC’s eviction moratorium set to expire today.

In a Wednesday afternoon news conference, the governor announced the moratorium has been extended through January 31^st 2021.

Cooper remarked that too many families are living on the edge trying to do the right thing but left with impossible choices.

The governor says the extension will help them stay in their homes which is essential to slow the spread.