COVID Update

The number of patients fighting COVID-19 in intensive care units across NC is reportedly the highest it’s been since the beginning of the year.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported more than 29-hundred people hospitalized in the state with COVID-19.

They further state that 371 individuals have been admitted with the virus within the past 24 hours.

Of those currently in a hospital, 728 patients are being treated in the intensive care unit – the highest number of ICU patients in the state since January 22^nd.

Numbers of cases and hospitalizations continue to grow in the Catawba Valley counties as well.

McDowell County yesterday reported 52 new cases of the virus with 1 additional death. Total cases numger 5-thousand-923, with 427 residents in quarantine.

Caldwell County reported 198 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week for a total of 10-thousand-325.

15 in Caldwell are in the hospital.

Catawba County reported 385 additional cases of the virus this week; with 71 people hospitalized with COVID.

Catawba now has a total of 20-thousand-670 cases.

Burke County on its dashboard data reported 60 new cases since Monday for a total of 11-thousand-560.

Figures show 797 cases as being active, and 22 are hospitalized.

Avery Flooding

More than 100 people were evacuated from three Avery County campgrounds Tuesday evening as flood waters threatened area roadways.

Emergency officials evacuated approximately 120 individuals from the campgrounds along with a portion of Linville Land Harbor in Pineola and a mobile home park near the Mitchell County line.

Tornado warnings had been issued in Avery County, with a flash flood warning as well in effect until 3 Wednesday morning.

Weather officials say the area received up to five inches of rainfall.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from Tuesday night’s incident.

Avery County schools were closed Wednesday, as numerous bridges and roadways were under water for a time, in addition to power outages throughout the county.

Elsewhere reports say some 30 people remain unaccounted for following flooding along the Pigeon River in Haywood County.

Emergency officials say much of the city of Canton was underwater Tuesday evening.