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North Carolina prohibits utility cut-offs; South Carolina closes more businesses

FOOTHILLS—The states of North Carolina continue to implement measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

South Carolina shut down more businesses on Tuesday, while North Carolina implemented executive order 124, which prohibits utility providers from disconnecting services for the next 60 days. North Carolina’s Governor’s order also prohibits utility providers, including from local governments, from collecting any late fees. 

As of press time, there were no new cases of the virus in Polk County. Polk County had its first case Thursday evening, another Friday morning, one Sunday night and another Monday night. 

North Carolina now has 1,584 cases, with an increase of 86 between Tuesday and Wednesday, which was a lower increase than the previous day. 

Henderson County has 18 cases, Rutherford County has 7 cases, Cleveland County has 6 cases and McDowell County has 7 cases, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

Polk County’s latest update on the virus, issued on Tuesday, was that it has 4 cases of COVID-19. 

The county on Monday issued guidance for short-term rentals and a mandatory quarantine for people returning to the county from hotspot areas. 

Polk County officials are having daily calls with state officials and community leaders; have updated protocols in place at the 911 communication center; the school system has delivered almost 10,000 meals so far to children in the community and citizens are using drop boxes, phones and emails to conduct county business. 

County officials reiterated Tuesday that the county “is not closing its borders.” 

The community has also provided a care package delivery to one of the positive COVID-19 cases to help maintain isolation. The others have not requested any assistance, according to county officials. 

For updated information from Polk County, people can visit polknc.org; polknc.info; Polk County Local Government on Facebook and @PolkCountyNC on Twitter. 

To receive Nixle updates from the county, text COVID19PC to 888777.