April 14, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing
Burke County’s Response to COVID-19
• Burke County is holding at 60 positive cases. The cases consist of both traveling and community spread. All positive cases are isolated and Public Health staff continues to investigate the cases and will be locating those close contacts to help contain the spread of the infection.
• Numbers noted on the state website may fluctuate during the public health investigations when staff finds out that some positive tests are truly not Burke County residents. Numbers listed above are correct numbers for Burke County.
• Public information line has been opened Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm for those with questions can call 828-764-9388.
Update from Burke County Public Schools:
Burke County Public Schools has received two grants, totaling $6,000, to help purchase masks for the district. Each grant was for $3,000; one was from the Community Foundation of Burke and the other from Duke Energy Foundation. All Burke County Public School employees are wearing their masks while they are working. This precaution, as well as social distancing and staying at least six feet apart from each other are measures district employees are taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam said, “I realize wearing a mask is awkward for some people, but it could be the difference in saving their life and others. It is one of the new normal scenarios we are having to get accustomed to during this time. I want to thank our head school nurse Miranda Michaels for securing the masks and organizing the mask distribution and for Director of Student Services Dr. Mike Swan for his work in securing the grants. Our goal is to eventually equip all BCPS employees, not just essential workers, with masks, as well as distribute them to their family members and eventually provide them to all of our students. We have a standing weekly order with a local manufacturer for the masks and are grateful for these grants to help us provide this valuable piece of protection.”
Update on www.burkenc.org/COVID-19Webpage:
• Charts with percentages of positives cases by gender and age breakdowns
• These charts are updated by 5pm daily
Just a reminder again from Burke County Commissioners:
• Visit this You Tube link for an important Video Public Service Announcement message to Burke County residents: https://youtu.be/_MrU_tobYPE
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. After hours, weekends and holidays, 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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