Ashe Hospital Receives Grant From NC Healthcare Foundation Published: 19 January 2021
Ashe Memorial Hospital recently received a $149,839.42 grant through the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation and the COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Program.
The Ashe Post and Times reports the funding is intended to support the urgent preparedness and response needs of hospitals, health systems and health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic while also strengthening their ability to protect their patients, staff and communities.
With the additional funding, Ashe Memorial Hospital will purchase additional beds and additional COVID-unit specific equipment, including a crash cart, a LUCAS Chest Compression System, a vital signs machine, pulse ox meters and iPads for isolated patients to communicate with their families.
Toe River Health District Releases COVID-19 Update
Toe River Health District has released COVID-19 case numbers for the last two weeks, ending January 13.
Avery County had 138 active cases, with the total now at 1376. There have been 21 deaths in Avery.
Mitchell County had 79 active cases, a total of 1098, with 25 deaths in Mitchell.
Yancey County was at 157 active cases, a total of 1317, with 14 deaths.
On Saturday, Mitchell County Health Department was notified of two CoVID-19 associated deaths. Both individuals were in their 90s.
Yancey County Health Department was also notified Saturday of two additional CoVID-19 associated death. One individual was in their 80s, the other was in their 90s.
Watauga License Plate Agency To Close Due To COVID-19
Watauga County License Plate Agency will be close for 2 weeks due to COVID-19.
Watauga Online reports the Watauga license plate agency located at 274 Winklers Creek Rd is closed, and will reopen to the public on January 29th.
In the meantime, you may renew registrations and/or pay motor vehicle property tax online at ncdot.gov or visit any neighboring NC County License Plate Agency for renewals and title work.
Avery s Dudley Greene Takes Oath As District 85 Representative
Greene will serve House District 85 which includes Avery, Mitchell, and McDowell counties.
This will be Greene’s first term in the North Carolina General Assembly.
Greene said he was honored to serve the area he calls home.
The Opening Day Ceremony marked the official start of the 2021-22 legislative session. Legislators took the oath of office, agreed upon chamber rules for the session and elected leadership for each chamber.
The legislature is scheduled to return on January 27 to begin the long session.
AppHealthCare Vaccinates More Than 1000 Saturday
AppHealthCare hosted a mass vaccination event at Watauga High School Saturday.
The Watauga Democrat reports approximately 1,168 received the Pfizer vaccine. Those who were vaccinated Saturday will get their second dose February 6.
AppHealthCare said in their weekly update they have been notified by NC DHHS they will not be receiving a shipment of first dose vaccine next week, but said they anticipate receiving 975 doses of Pfizer and 600 doses of Moderna for individuals’ second dose.
The latest update indicates an increase in both new cases and the number of individuals in quarantine in Watauga, and Watauga remains ORANGE in the county alert system, substantial community spread.