Mitchell County Health Department

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.

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.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 21, Mitchell County had a total of 246 positive cases, with 12 of those active and 232 recovered. Additionally, there have been five deaths.

COVID-19 case numbers creep upward as citizens get restless

Juliana Walker

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

SPRUCE PINE — With an increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, Toe River Health Director Diane Creek credits much of the rise to “COVID fatigue.” “People are getting tired of wearing masks and social distancing,” she said. “I get that. I’m tired of it, too. But, we’ve got to keep doing it.