October 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing
Burke County’s Response to COVID-19
• Burke County is currently at 2817 positive cases. These are cumulative cases for the county. If you want to see a breakdown of the cases please go visit the https://www.burkenc.org/dashboard webpage. The dashboard is updated late in the evening every day.
• Para español llame al 764-9150 y presione el número dos. Si nadie contesta deje un corto mensaje con su nombre y numero de teléfono.
From Burke County Health Department:
NC Department of Health and Human Services distributed updated guidance for Places of Worship and Religious Services.
You can read the information at either of these two locations:
1) On the health department FaceBook page and then refer to the October 19 post
2) On Burke County’s website located at www.burkenc.org and scroll to News & Announcements and show dated October 19
Also, NC DHHS sent out information about a new rent and utility assistance program announced on October 15. The Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) program will provide rent and utility assistance to low and moderate-income renters that have fallen behand because of COVID. The HOPE program will provide up to 6 months of rent or utility assistance. If you need this service you can apply by going to www.nc211.org/hope You can apply online or get more information at the website or you can apply by calling 2-1-1 from 7am – 6pm Monday through Friday and is available in English and Spanish.
We need individuals that are sick with anything to please stay at home until you are well. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK WITH ANY INFECTION INCLUDING COVID-19, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO IS COVID-19 POSITIVE OR ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TESTED FOR COVID-19 AND WAITING ON TEST RESULTS TO STAY AT HOME AND NOT BE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE FOR ANY REASON.**
Those who are sick staying at home plus everyone wearing face coverings and washing your hands often will slow the spread of this infection within our community. We are asking everyone to do their part whether they believe in this infection or not so others will not get sick.
If you are calling just to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing, please call 828-764-9150. If you are getting a test for COVID-19, it is extremely important to give correct names (what name is on your birth certificate, not names you go by) and addresses so positive numbers can be directed and counted in the correct county. This helps to keep the data more accurate for each county.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, contact the Burke County Public Information Line at 828-764-9168, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. After hours, weekends and holidays, please leave a message and your call will be answered as soon as staff returns. Or you can also visit the Burke County COVID-19 webpage at www.burkenc.org/COVID-19.
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