COVID UPDATE

As the number of positive cases in Burke County continues to increase, public health officials report two additional COVID-19 deaths on Friday.

 One individual was in their 50’s, and one was in their 80’s.

They were both hospitalized but later died from virus-related complications.

Health officials report 91 new cases in Burke, with cases totaling 8-thousand-165.

1-thousand-588 cases are reported to be active, and 26 residents are hospitalized.

McDowell County reported 25 new positives Friday with cases totaling 4-thousand-41.

332 residents are still quarantined.

Samaritan’s Purse Hospital

A Caldwell County couple is thankful to be home after battling COVID-19; but reports say they are grateful for the doctors and nurses at the Samaritan’s Purse field hospital in Lenoir.

The field hospital was set up several weeks ago to relieve the burden on hospitals in Lenoir and nearby Morganton, Hickory, and the mountain counties.

Officials say the majority of patients in the field hospital are on oxygen and are being treated for COVID-19 symptoms.

Staff members there are working 12-hour shifts to take care of those in their care.

The hospital has four medical tents with 18 patients separated between male and female wards.

The now-recovered couple treated there say the ‘love of God is all over them’ in referring to the doctors and nurses.

 

Thief Arrested

One man is arrested, while another remains at-large in connection with last week’s equipment theft from the Burke County Rescue Squad on St. Mary’s Church Road.

Reports say Christopher Otstott was arrested Thursday afternoon in the Oak Hill community.

A second man fled into a wooded area and remains on the run.

Otstott was questioned and charged with felony larceny in the incident that resulted in up to 30-thousand dollars worth of rescue equipment being stolen.

Shortly after Thursday’s arrest, one of the stolen ATVs was located in a remote area of McDowell County.

Authorities are still looking for the second ATV that was taken.

Rescue squad members say they’re currently relying on other fire stations and rescue squads to assist with needed equipment.

A generator, radios, helmets and other vital search and rescue essentials were removed in the theft.

Drugs and Guns

A traffic stop in McDowell County for multiple traffic violations leads to an arrest for drugs and a firearm.

Deputies stopped 59-year-old Kevin Brian Loftis of Roy Hollifield Road Marion on January 8^th.

A search of the suspect and vehicle turned up a handgun, nearly 15 grams of meth, and drug paraphernalia.

Loftis was charged with possession of meth, possession with intent to sell or deliver meth, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.