Today, the Burke County Health Director was notified by Carolinas Healthcare System
Blue Ridge of a positive COVID-19 case currently hospitalized. The case acquired the infection from
traveling so this is not a community spread case. So that makes two positive cases of Burke County
residents, the other case was reported in their home county of Mecklenburg. Public health authorities nor
any other community partner will identify any individual that tests positive and we will not provide
information that may compromise their confidentiality as a matter of their personal safety, so individuals
are not targeted, threatened or harassed.
Public Health staff have begun their investigation and will be locating those close contacts to help contain
the spread of the infection. The Burke County Health Department and County Emergency Management
will keep the public informed by announcing any additional cases that may arise through our local media
partners.
This case does not change any of the guidance issued by the State or CDC. Remember that for most
people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to
be low. Older adults, people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions (such as heart
disease, lung disease, asthma, diabetes, etc) or a weakened immune system/those receiving cancer
treatments may be at a higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. Pregnant women and
infants need to be closely monitored since they are at a higher risk of catching viruses.
This infection comes at a time when we are seeing other infections and sickness throughout the
community. It is very important for those who are sick with COVID or any other infectious disease to
isolate yourself at home until you are symptom free. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough and
shortness of breath. The Health Department is continuing to test individuals for COVID-19 that meet the
state criteria for testing.
Your role as a community, is to stay as calm as possible, check in on your family, friends and neighbors
and help out as you can by dropping off food, calling to talk and stay connected, and continue to help
support local businesses by getting take-out meals or ordering delivery. Also, if you could reduce or
cancel travelling out of the state and hotspots within North Carolina especially those areas that have
higher numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, this will help reduce the chances of someone coming in
contact with someone COVID-19 positive and bringing it back to our community. We all must work
together for the true benefit of the community.
200 Avery Avenue – P.O. Box 219 – Morganton, NC 28680-0219
County Manager: (828) 764-9350 ~ Clerk to the Board: (828) 764-9354 ~ www.burkenc.org
Johnnie W. Carswell, Chair
Scott Mulwee, Vice Chair
Wayne F. Abele, Sr., Commissioner
Jeffrey C. Brittain, Commissioner
Maynard M. Taylor, Commissioner
Kenneth B. Steen, County Manager
Kay H. Draughn, Clerk to the Board
J. R. Simpson, II, County Attorney
Kania Law Firm, P.A., Tax Attorney
So, the most important messages right now:
• Stay at home as much as possible but you can still pick up essential items and then return home.
• Remember while you are at home, it is a good idea to go outside some and get some exercise,
play with your children but do not gather with large groups of 10 or more people
• Wash your hands often especially after going to stores, or touching objects or surfaces that others
have touched. Wash for 20 seconds and sing a song while you wash. Use hand sanitizer if you
do no have access to soap and water.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, contact the Burke County Public
Information Line at 828-764-9388, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm and after hours the NC Public
Information Line number is provided as a resource to contact. The operator will answer your questions or
direct you to the correct person to answer your questions. Or you can also visit the Burke County
COVID-19 webpage at www.burkenc.org/COVID-19. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1
and inform the dispatcher that you have symptoms listed for COVID-19.
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