NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 14, 2020
Rebecca McLeod, Public Health Director
Lisa Moore, Burke County Public Information Officer
Michael Willis, Emergency Management Director
Burke County Reports Fourth Death
Morganton, NC: Public Health was notified today of a COVID-19 related death on April 13 of another Burke County resident. The individual was in her 90’s with underlying medical conditions. To protect the family’s privacy, no further information about the patient will be released. This is a stark reality that COVID-19 is a serious virus and a potential risk for those most vulnerable within our community.
“We want to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of this individual, said Burke County Health Director Rebecca McLeod. We continue to urge residents to take extra precautions to protect the most vulnerable residents at risk like our elderly and those with underlying health conditions, she said.”
It is crucial that everyone remembers to abide by the Governor Cooper’s Stay At Home order, practice social distancing if you have to be out in public, wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds, if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. We can fight this virus together, but everyone must do their part.
“Again, we express our heartfelt sympathies to all those dealing with this loss and express encouragement to all those battling this infection and the caregivers by their side”, McLeod stated.
For general questions about COVID-19 you can contact the Burke County Public Information line at 828-764-9388 or visit the COVID-19 webpage at www.burkenc.org/COVID-19. For help in getting community resources contact the Burke County volunteer coordinator at 828-764-9383 or at Melissa.estep@burkenc.org.
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