December 15, 2021

NOTE: There will be no Orange County Health News editions the last two weeks of December due to the holiday closings.

Winter Holidays

This year presents something of a “hybrid holiday.” Although many households are fully vaccinated, those with children may have mixed status, with some kids halfway through a two-shot regimen and little ones who may not yet be eligible at all. Older and at-risk adults may have gotten a booster but may still worry if they are immunocompromised.

Regardless, hosting or attending a holiday gathering will look different for everyone depending on their circumstances.

This means it may be better for some people to stick to guidelines for unvaccinated folks such as keeping things outdoors or celebrating only with those who live in the same household.

A few other things you can do to lower risk:

Consider ventilation. If outdoors isn’t possible, open windows, bring in fans, or invest in HEPA air purifiers if funds allow.
Rapid testing for guests. This may not catch all infections, especially if they’re in an early stage, but this plus other interventions layered in can help reduce risk.
Wear masks. This may not be possible during the meal, but when up and about with others, wearing a mask indoors can help cut down on risk.

Above all, make sure you talk ahead of time with anyone you plan to gather with so everyone is comfortable and understands the circumstances.

READ MORE.

Can I get COVID-19 from these vaccines?

No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.

Learn more: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2617/Vaccine

What's in YOUR Medicine Cabinet?

While it may not seem like a big deal to have medications lying around in the home, it could easily lead down a tragic path of addiction or unintentional poisonings. Take the simple step of disposing of medications.

Facts About Prescription Medication

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.
Unused drugs that are flushed can contaminate the water supply.
Prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a doctor's supervision.
The majority of teens abusing prescription drugs get them from home medicine cabinets.
The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America.

Learn more: https://www.orangecountync.gov/361/Prescription-Drug-Drop-Boxes

Printable Flyer in English.

Click on the image to view a printable PDF.

Click on the image to view a printable PDF.

Free COVID-19 Testing Clinics
The free COVID-19 testing clinics hosted by OCHD are conducted by two different vendors, StarMed Healthcare in Hillsborough and Optum in Chapel Hill. Please register with the appropriate vendor depending on which location you would like to attend.

https://www.orangecountync.gov/2451/Testing

Clinic Graphic as a Printable PDF
Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot, or call (919) 913-8088 with any questions. The call center and vaccine clinics will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday afterwards.

The Hillsborough walk-in clinic at Bonnie B. Davis now serves ages 5 and up for their COVID-19 vaccine primary series and boosters. WALK-INS WELCOME IN HILLSBOROUGH!

The Chapel Hill clinic, however, is by appointment only. Ages 5 and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit www.myspotnc.gov to make an appointment.

Regular Vaccine Clinics
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W, Hillsborough, NC
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Please call (877) 505-6723 to schedule an appointment.
***Ages 5 and up only.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Please call (919) 913-8088 to schedule an appointment.
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Upcoming Pop-Up Vaccine Clinics
Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church
5124 NC Highway 86 North, Hillsborough NC 27278
Saturday, December 18th 2021 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
**Pfizer vaccines available for ages 5 to 11 and also for 12 and up.

Faith Tabernacle Oasis of Love International Church
8005 Rogers Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Saturday, December 18th 2021 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
***Ages 12 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 1,580,909 COVID-19 cases, 19,070 deaths and 1,561 hospitalizations. 58% of North Carolina's population is fully vaccinated.

There are currently 12,618 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 111 deaths in Orange County. 75% of Orange County residents are fully vaccinated.

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.

Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county.

More information may be found at www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

Contact Information

For general questions (not urgent) about 2019 Novel Coronavirus, contact NCDHHS at: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov or 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about coronavirus from the public.

If you are an individual or a medical practice with questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Department at (919) 913-8088 during business hours (8:30 am to 5:00 pm).

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2462.

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Email: covid19@orangecountync.gov
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC