NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 2, 2020
Rebecca McLeod, Public Health Director
Lisa Moore, Burke County Public Information Officer
Michael Willis, Emergency Management Director
Burke County Confirms Nine Cases of COVID-19
Morganton, NC: The Burke County Health Director was notified today of one additional positive case of COVID-19 which brings the total cases to 9 in Burke County. The cases consist of both traveling and community spread. Burke County now only reports positive cases for Burke County residents.
All these cases are isolated and Public Health staff have begun their investigation with the newest cases 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. 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.
Residents are encouraged to CALL their medical provider if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 but they do NOT need to come out to be tested since it may spread the illness to others in the community including those at higher risk of complications and health care workers. For those residents who do not have a medical provider can call and make an appointment for a primary care visit at the Burke County Health Department.
So, the most important messages continue to be:
• Since this virus is now spreading in the community, it is extremely important to follow the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order for the next 30 days and only be out to pick up essential items and when out make sure to take proper precautions such as social distancing and hand washing to help reduce the spread of this virus.
• Call to check in on family and friends.
• Businesses that are not determined to be essential really need to adhere to the Governor’s Stay at Home order so Burke County can reduce the spread of this virus to those most at risk within our community.
• 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 not 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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