COVID Update

New cases of COVID-19 in Burke County increased by 232 over the weekend; with cases now totaling 13-thousand-903.

Local public health officials report there are 1-thousand-350 active cases, with 49 Burke residents hospitalized.

Burke is currently at a 12-point-7 percent positivity rate with the largest confirmed cases among 20 to 39 year olds.

McDowell County reported 139 new COVID cases from last Friday, with 2 virus-related deaths.

McDowell has a total of 7-thousand-458 cases now, with 544 individuals remaining in quarantine.

Flu Vaccine

Public health officials with the State Department of Health and Human services are urging North Carolinians to protect themselves, their families, and those around them by getting the flu vaccine as the state enters flu season on top of the COVID-19 surge caused by the Delta variant.

The CDC recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older; and is especially important for those at higher risk of complications such as those over 65, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions such as asthma or heart disease.

Health officials say the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19.

In NC, flu infections are most common from late fall to early spring, with activity usually peaking in January or February.

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit flu.nc.gov online.

Shoplifter

A Morganton woman now faces drug charges after getting caught shoplifting at a local store on Saturday.

Morganton Public Safety Officers were called to WalMart where the store’s loss prevention department had alerted lawmen to a suspect loading stolen merchandise into a vehicle.

The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Dontayzha Michelle Peterson.

A news release says the stolen goods totaling more than 19-hundred dollars worth were recovered.

A search of Peterson’s car also turned up 17 grams of meth.

Peterson faces numerous charges including felony breaking, entering, and larceny and drug offenses.

She received a 35-thousand dollar secured bond and was to appear in court yesterday.

Lincoln Arrest

A Lincolnton man was arrested Monday after hiding from officers in the ceiling of a Denver convenience store.

Around 2:30 a.m., Lincoln deputies were looking for 34-year-old Zakari David Glode to serve an arrest warrant.

Officers received information Glode was driving a black 2013 Toyota when they observed it parked at the Denver Mart on Highway 16 Business in Denver.

Glode entered the store, and officers then discovered the suspect had gone into the store’s restroom.

After waiting 20 minutes, deputies obtained the restroom key to then find no one inside.

Officers then observed a damaged ceiling tile, and several other tiles removed.

Glode was ordered to come down from the ceiling space and charged with resisting a public officer, injury to real property, and second degree trespassing.