Coronavirus: What you need to know in Asheville, WNC June 6 – Citizen Times

ASHEVILLE - As of noon June 5, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services tallied 30,777 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide.

NCDHHS counts a total of 966 deaths associated with lab-tested COVID-19 statewide, with 717 hospitalized across the state.

As of about noon June 5, Buncombe County reported 376 total cases and 30deaths.

Most of Buncombe's deaths continue to be in nursing homes, which accounted for at least 30 deaths in the county so far.

Confirmed cases in other Western North Carolina counties, according to state counts:

The Citizen Times is providing this story for free to readers because of the need for information about the coronavirus. We encourage you to further support local journalism bysubscribing.

As interim health director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore spoke June 4 about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Buncombe County, she asked the community to "keep working together" to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Mackenzie Wicker reports on five key points made by Mullendore during the briefing, including the disproportional impact of the virus onblack, indigenous and people of color; a drive to have widespread testing at long-term care facilities; the pandemics impact on emotional and mental health; and more.

More: Coronavirus: 30 deaths in Buncombe, disproportionate infection in people of color and more

From September 2017-September 2018 The Asheville Fire Department responded to 268 lockout calls.(Photo: Citizen Times file photo)

Two Asheville firefighters tested positive for COVID-19 this past week, causing a 12-hour closure for cleaning of the fire stations and trucks, and sending into quarantine firefighters who had come into close contact with those infected, according to fire officials.

Karen Chvez reports that while Asheville Fire Department spokeswoman Kelley Klope said measures are being taken to protect the roughly 280 firefighters from contracting the deadly disease, some firefighters say the department is not doing enough and is not following state guidelines to protect firefighters, who are already risking their lives daily to protect the public.

More: 2 Asheville firefighters in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

Testing materials loaded on the bed of a pickup remained sterile before nurses and lab tech worked to screen 50 residents for the coronavirus at a June 3 testing event in Spring Creek.(Photo: Paul Moon/The News-Record & Sentinel)

A drive-thru testing event in the Spring Creek community of Madison County screened 50 individuals for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Paul Moon reports that the free testing event open to anyone, including non-Madison County residents and those showing no symptoms, was the first offered by the Madison County Health Department since the onset of the pandemic.

A second free and open screening event is scheduled for Thursday, June 11 from 6-8 p.m. outside Hot Springs Elementary School.

More: Stepped up testing in Madison County aims to slow asymptomatic spread of COVID-19

Children gather at Splashville fountains at Pack Square to cool off during the summer heat in this file photo.(Photo: Citizen-Times Photo)

Asheville's public pools and popular interactive fountain Splashville will be closed for the summer amid concerns for COVID-19, city officials announced June 5.

This includes the Recreation Park, Malvern Hills Park and Walton Street Park pools as well as Splasheville in Pack Square Park.

"Attempting to operate the pools this season would not be feasible logistically or most importantly from a safety standpoint," the city said in a statement.

More: Asheville pools, Splasheville closed for summer season over coronavirus concerns

The Ingles distribution center covers nearly a mile.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Question: Ignoring obvious safety issues regarding inhibited breathing and impaired vision, how can Ingles supply employees with a single mask and force them to wear it in a warehouse environment for an entire shift, while the Centers for Disease Control recommends a new mask every time a face-covering becomes wet or soiled?

Answer:"Ingles has taken the initiative to both require and provide face masks for all associates," said Ron Freeman, Ingles Markets chief financial officer. "We also maintain a supply of face masks at our distribution center should an associate arrive at work without a mask or soil a mask while working."

Read further for Answer Man's smart-aleck answer and more details.

More: Answer Man: Ingles warehouse mask policy questioned? Walking rules?

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Coronavirus: What you need to know in Asheville, WNC June 6 - Citizen Times