The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners met Thursday afternoon to discuss the Coronavirus situation in light of the first positive test result in Mitchell County. The purpose of the meeting was to receive updates from Emergency Management, The Toe River Health District, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Mountain Community Health Partnership.
Toe River Health District Health Director Diane Creek reported that at this time there have been 42 COVID-19 tests administered in Mitchell County, 19 Negative, 1 Positive and 22 Pending.
Input was also received from Mitchell County Emergency Management Director Kolby Silvers, Sheriff Donald Street, Josh Newton and Chuck Shelton from the Mountain Community Health Partnership and Dr. Tonia Hale of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
The robust discussion centered on the next steps the Commissioners should take concerning the health and well being of the Citizens of the County. Various forms of “Stay Safe-Stay home”, mandatory stay at home and curfew resolutions were discussed.
Commissioner Jeff Harding made a motion to enact a Voluntary Shelter in Place and Curfew order that would have gone in effect this morning (03/27/2020) at 7am. After discussion, there was no second and the motion was not acted on.
Health Care representatives, Law Enforcement, Country Emergency Management and the Toe River Health District / Mitchell County Health Department all agreed to meet to lay out a plan for the County. All were somewhat in agreement that a Shelter in Place – Stay Home – Stay Safe plan should be drafted and acted upon no later than next Monday. (03/30/2020)
