COVID-19 Update 

Burke County Public Health reported 100 new cases of COVID-19

Wednesday, for a total of 6-thousand-914. Active cases number

1-thousand-385, with 27 people hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 54 additional cases of the virus yesterday

for a total of 3-thousand-390, with 558 McDowell residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County saw an increase of 101 cases of coronavirus for a total

of 6-thousand-540, with 49 hospitalizations. The county also learned of

its 79th COVID-19 related death Wednesday. The patient was over the age of 75, 

had been hospitalized, and was reported to have underlying health conditions.

In Catawba County, new cases numbered 165, with a total of 12-thousand-403

and 104 people in the hospital and one additional death, now numbering 176.

Phase 1-B 

Burke County Public Health announced on Wednesday that they will

not be able to move into Phase 1-B, for another week or two. The Burke

COVID Vaccination Team is continuing to vaccinate people in Phase 1-A.

McDowell County Vaccine Call Center is scheduling vaccine appointments

for McDowell citizens in Phase 1-B, age 75 and older. The vaccinations

will begin next week.

In Caldwell County, the Health Department on Wednesday, moved into

Phase 1-B. The department is scheduling appointments with people on

the waiting list, and appointments are required to receive the vaccine.

November Unemployment 

The November unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

metro area was 6.1 %. Area county rates include Alexander at 5.6 %,

Avery 5 %, Burke at 5.8 %, Caldwell 6.6 %, Catawba 6.2 % and McDowell

at 5.6 %. Watauga County had the lowest unemployment rate for the

state in November at 4.2 %, according to figures released Tuesday from

the N.C. Department of Commerce.