More COVID-19 related deaths in Haywood

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT S TAFF WRITER

Although the seven-day rolling average of positive COVID-19 tests continues to trend downwards across the state of North Carolina, western counties are beginning to see huge upticks in both cases and deaths.

“If you have symptoms such as headache, fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of smell don’t wait, get tested,” said Haywood County Public Health Director Patrick Johnson in an Aug. 7 press release. “If your doctor isn’t providing testing, contact one of the local urgent cares. Call first for pre-emptive screening and to find out what the current protocols are for when you arrive. It’s also important to understand that anyone tested for COVID-19, even as a standard pre-operative precaution, needs to stay home and selfquarantine away from other family members as able until test results are received, and then follow instructions according to the test results.”

In that same release, county health officials reported 107 cases for the week, a new high. The prior week, 74 new cases were logged.

NCDHHS was also reporting an outbreak at a Haywood County nursing home; last week, a story in The Smoky Mountain News noted almost 40 cases at Silver Bluff Village. Several of those have now resulted in deaths, including five more in the past week alone, bringing the countywide total to 12.

Three of those deaths list COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death, while two list COVID-19 as the primary cause. The individuals were all over the age of 80 and most had underlying medical conditions.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones,” Johnson said. “This is a sad reminder that COVID-19 is a serious and sometimes deadly illness. We urge all citizens to do their part by observing social distancing, wear masks and practicing good hygiene.”

In congregate living settings like nursing homes, a COVID-19 outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases. By that measure, NCDHHS has also logged nursing home outbreaks in Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Transylvania counties.

As of press time on Aug. 11, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services was reporting 435 total cases for Haywood County, along with 12 deaths. Jackson County had reported 447 cases and five deaths. Macon County reported 463 cases and two deaths. Swain County had 119 cases and two deaths.

Presenting those figures as the number of cases per 1,000 residents, Haywood had seven, Jackson had 10.3, Macon had 13.1 – highest west of Buncombe County – and Swain had 8.4.

To stay up to date on COVID-19 in Haywood County visit www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19- Information or call 828.356,2019, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Information for other counties in North Carolina is also available at the DHHS website, www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov.

It’s time to throw in a towel...

At the Aug. 10 Haywood County Schools Board of Education meeting the school board heard the last round of introductions from new members of HCS administrative staff, and those staff members moving to new positions.

Todd Barbee, previously principal at Waynesville Middle School, has become the grant coach for a $1.5 million Innovative Partnership Grant awarded to Central Haywood High School. He will be working with Central Office staff on the project.

“Thank you for placing me in a position that I really needed, for me and my family. The hardest thing I’ve done is stepping down from Waynesville Middle. My family has been neglected, my wife has been neglected. My family deserves a dad and not a principal,” Barbee said, addressing the board.

Wendy Rogers, previously principal at Hazelwood Elementary, will move to be principal of Central Haywood High School, where Rodney Mashburn has retired.

“To continue to lead with educators in a high school who is willing to serve students and help them transition from high school to the workplace or on to post-secondary experiences, that’s beyond exciting,” said Rogers.

Taking Rogers’ position at Hazelwood is Todd Trantham, previously principal at Tuscola High School.

“I could not have asked to inherit a better situation. This staff has been so welcoming and I am excited to kick things off,” Trantham said.

Joining Trantham at Hazelwood Elementary School as the new assistant principal is Bridget Brooks, a Haywood County native, returning from employment in Jackson County.

“It is an honor to serve the students, families, faculty and staff, and the community members of Hazelwood. This is coming home for me and I am tremendously grateful, and it would not be possible without your support,” said Brooks.

Heather Blackmen will be the new principal at Tuscola High School. Billy Harrell, a teacher most recently from Buncombe County with a background in high school math, will fill the assistant principal position at Tuscola.

“I am especially thankful to Mrs. Blackmon for giving me this opportunity to advance my career and be an assistant principal. I am very excited to be moving over to Haywood County and to be a Mountaineer,” said Harrell.

Other changes not presented at the meeting include Graham Haynes, previously assistant principal at Tuscola, who will move into the role of Waynesville Middle School principal and Casey Kruk, previously assistant principal at Pisgah, who will fill the role of Canton Middle School principal. — By Hannah McLeod