COVID Update

Burke County Public health Friday reported two additional COVID-19 associated deaths, with both individuals in their 60’s.

A news release indicates both had been hospitalized; Burke’s death toll due to COVID is now at 272.

Health officials also report approximately 69 new cases in Burke since Monday with a current positivity rate at 4-point-4 percent.

Burke’s total is now 16-thousand-292, with 143 active cases, and 12 residents still hospitalized.

Now that children ages 5 to 11 are eligible for the vaccine, the age bracket has been added to the county’s total population count.

The percentage of Burke that is fully vaccinated has now slipped to 44-percent because of the added eligibility among youth.

McDowell County reported 31 new cases of the virus since Monday for a total of 8-thousand-787.

55 remain quarantined in McDowell.

Vaccine Clinics

The Burke County Health Department has teamed up with UNC Health Blue Ridge to offer two drive-thru Pfizer pediatric clinics on Saturday November 20^th and Saturday December 11^th from 9 am till 11 am both days.

Two locations will be available, Valdese Express Care in Rutherford College and the Burke Health Department on East Parker Road in Morganton.

Both locations will be drive thru only.

Appointments are preferred but not required.

To schedule an appointment visit burkecovaccineclinic.rsvpify.com. online.

If you’re interested in getting the pediatric dose of Pfizer and are unable to attend the clinic dates, St Charles Catholic Church in Morganton will be holding a five-week pediatric clinic inside Murray Hall.

Operating hours are Wednesday through Friday 3 to 7 pm, and Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm.

WPCC Event

Western Piedmont Community College will be hosting a special event on Thursday, November 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the Michael Helmick Seminar Room located in Moore Hall on the college’s main Campus.

The event will be the launch of PACE: Partnership for Apprenticeship and Continuing Education.

PACE is a partnership between WPCC and local industries: Airlite Nonwovens, Leviton and Meridian Specialty Yarn Group.

The partnership will provide apprenticeship opportunities to workers to enhance their job skills and pay, while earning credit through WPCC.

State and local officials will be in attendance and photo opportunities along with interview opportunities will be available.

For additional information or to make pre-arrangements for special tours or interviews, contact David Biddix, Director of Marketing at 828.448.6416  or Emily Kiziah, Marketing Coordinator at 828.448.3120.

Stabbing

A Tuesday evening altercation in Morganton led to the stabbing of two men.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office reports the two men ages 19 and 20 were stabbed at 334 Walker Road during an argument between two females.

One of the victims was reportedly airlifted to a medical center and was last reported to be in stable condition.

The NC Juvenile Justice was contacted regarding a juvenile suspect involved in the incident.

The Burke Sheriff’s Office and state juvenile justice officials continue to investigate.