NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2020
Rebecca McLeod, Public Health Director
Lisa Moore, Burke County Public Information Officer
Michael Willis, Emergency Management Director
Burke County Reports Second Death
Morganton, NC: Public Health was notified today of another Burke County resident’s death associated with COVID-19. The individual had been hospitalized and later died on Sunday, April 5. The patient was in their late 70’s with underlying medical conditions and was not associated with any long-term care facility. To protect the family’s privacy, no further information about the patient will be released. Unfortunately, this serves as a real reminder of the dangerousness of this virus and the 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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