[NORTH WILKESBORO, NC, September 17, 2021] – Due to persistently high numbers of COVID-19 cases,[NORTH WILKESBORO, NC, September 17, 2021] – Due to persistently high numbers of COVID-19 cases,hospitalizations, and deaths in Wilkes County, the Town of North Wilkesboro is canceling the remaining‘Concerts on the Deck’ for 2021.

“Public safety is the town’s number one priority,” said Mayor Robert Johnson. “It’s why we work sohard to maintain professional and effective police and fire departments. And it’s why we can’t in goodconscience continue on with these events that pose such great risk.”

According to the State of North Carolina’s COVID dashboard, there have been 9,604 reported cases and153 reported deaths in Wilkes County since the beginning of the pandemic. Eight hundred and fourcases have been reported in the last two weeks alone. The most recently reported percentage ofpositive cases in the county was 13.1%.

The canceled concerts -scheduled for September 25 and October 16- were the last in a series of sixperformances held monthly since last May.

This is the second significant cancelation announced in the last few days. Earlier this week, the BrushyMountain Ruritan Club announced the cancelation of their annual Apple Festival in downtown NorthWilkesboro.

North Wilkesboro Police Chief Rob Thornburg agreed with the Ruritan’s decision. “An event with folks shoulder-to-shoulder and no way to screen for vaccination or negative test results is a dangerousbrew,” he said. “And it’s the same thing with our concerts. Plus, each event must be staffed with NWPD and other town employees, and putting them at risk of exposure could jeopardize the town’sability to provide essential services.”

The Town encourages all parties organizing events over the next few months to consider the risk toattendees and the community at-large before they proceed.