COVID-19 Update

Burke County Public Health Tuesday reported a total of 7-thousand-545 positive

COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in March. Active cases number

1-thousand-752 with 34 patients in the hospital.  Three additional deaths were

reported for a total of 92. Two individuals were in their 70’s, one in their 90’s,

all were hospitalized, but died from COVID related complications.

McDowell County reported 61 additional cases of the virus yesterday, for

a total of 3-thousand-706, with 539 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 135 new cases of coronavirus on

Tuesday for a total of 7-thousand-091 with 45 people hospitalized.

Catawba County reported 98 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday for a total

of 13-thousand-346, with 113 patients hospitalized.

Inmates Die from COVID-19 

Two Western North Carolina inmates, with pre-existing medical conditions

have died after testing positive for COVID-19. According to the North

Carolina Department of Public Safety, a Rutherford Correctional Center

offender was hospitalized Monday, when he tested positive for the virus.

His condition worsened and he died later in the day. The man was in his

early-60’s, and had underlying health conditions.

The second death was an Alexander Correctional Institution offender who

tested positive on December 17th, and was hospitalized December 24th.

His condition worsened and he also died on Monday. He was in his mid-70’s

and had underlying health conditions. The Department of Public Safety will

not release additional information due to the family’s right to privacy and

confidential prison offender records.

Marion Man Wanted for Shooting 

McDowell deputies are searching for a Marion man wanted in a Tuesday

afternoon shooting. 51-year-old Robert Dover is charged in connection with

the shooting that occurred just before 2 o’clock on Jacktown Road, in which

one person was injured. Dover was last seen driving a gray 2018 Kawasaki

motorcycle with NC tag 7M-5331. Anyone with information concerning the

whereabouts of Dover is asked to call the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office

at 652-2235.