COVID-19

As of Jan. 30, Mitchell County is no longer considered a ‘red tier’ county by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The county is now classified as ‘yellow tier’ meaning there is significant community spread. (NCDHHS)

As of Jan. 30, Mitchell County is no longer considered a ‘red tier’ county by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The county is now classified as ‘yellow tier’ meaning there is significant community spread. (NCDHHS)

Mitchell down to ‘yellow tier’ COVID county

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
While the numbers have dipped in recent weeks, COVID-19 continues to stay present in Mitchell County. According to the Mitchell County Health Department, as of Wednesday, Feb. 3, the county had 20 active positive cases and 27 COVID-related deaths.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.

Mitchell County waits for COVID vaccine restock

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
The ongoing pandemic continues.  According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), as of Monday, Feb. 1, Mitchell County had 159 positive cases in the last two weeks.
Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville. 

Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville. 

MCHP to hold COVID testing, future clinics

Cory Spiers
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
BURNSVILLE — Mountain Community Health Partnership will conduct COVID-19 testing on Thursday, Jan. 28, Monday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s Pensacola Road testing site in Burnsville.
Patsy Covington, 83, excitedly receives her vaccine in the garage area of the fire department on Thursday, Jan. 14. “I’m tired of all of this uncertainty of whether or not I’m going to get this virus,” Covington said. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

Patsy Covington, 83, excitedly receives her vaccine in the garage area of the fire department on Thursday, Jan. 14. “I’m tired of all of this uncertainty of whether or not I’m going to get this virus,” Covington said. (MNJ Photo/Juliana Walker)

A SHOT OF HOPE: More than 300 vaccinated at first local pop-up clinic

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Mitchell County Health Department held its first vaccination pop-up clinic on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Spruce Pine Fire Department in an effort to speed up the vaccination rollout.  The clinic, which was held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drew hundreds of local senior citizens aged 75 or older.
The health department has announced its first pop-up vaccine clinic, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14.

The health department has announced its first pop-up vaccine clinic, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14.

Vaccine rollout continues to progress

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
LEDGER — The COVID-19 vaccine continues to rollout in Mitchell County. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Jan. 10, Toe River Health District Director Diane Creek provided a short update regarding the vaccine and how they are planning to administer it to the community.
COVID-19 cases in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties continue to rise into the New Year.

COVID-19 cases in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties continue to rise into the New Year.

Calendar flips to new year as COVID-19 follows

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
LEDGER –  Although it’s a new year, COVID-19 is still here.  The most recent numbers for the tri-counties were reported by the Toe River Health District (TRHD) on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Mitchell County had 123 active positive cases and, as of Jan. 5, had 23 COVID-related deaths as of Dec. 29.
The first to be vaccinated was Blue Ridge Emergency Department RN Linda Pitman. (Photo submitted)

The first to be vaccinated was Blue Ridge Emergency Department RN Linda Pitman. (Photo submitted)

First supplies of COVID-19 vaccines arrive locally

Juliana Walker and Cory Spiers
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
SPRUCE PINE — The COVID vaccine has arrived in Mitchell County.  The first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived and were administered on Sunday, Dec. 20 at Spruce Pine Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.  During the four-hour clinic, 158 frontline healthcare workers at BRRH received the vaccine.
A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. (Stock photo)

A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. (Stock photo)

New COVID-19 testing site comes to Mitchell

Juliana Walker
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
LEDGER — As cases continue to rise in the region, it is now easier to get tested for COVID-19 in Mitchell County. A no-cost, drive-through testing site has been set up at the Mitchell County Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road. Testing at the site began on Friday, Dec.
COVID-19 cases in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties continue to rise as the Christmas holiday approaches. 

COVID-19 cases in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties continue to rise as the Christmas holiday approaches. 

COVID-19 cases climb as Christmas beckons

Cory Spiers
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Update on case numbers: As of Wednesday, Dec. 9,  Mitchell County has 120 active positive cases, 31 of which are in congregate living facilities, and 17 deaths.