March 9, 2022

Why are Some People Still Wearing Masks?

Although Orange County no longer requires masks in public, indoor spaces, many community members are choosing to continue to wear masks in certain situations. Some people may feel anxious about changing their mask usage after years of habit coupled with lingering trauma from the pandemic. As we move into the endemic and public spaces open up more, it will be important to respect each other's choice to mask or not. 

During Severe Weather Preparedness Week Review Safety Procedures and Make a Plan

This is Severe Weather Preparedness Week! Being ready for disasters takes preparation, not luck. Know your risk, make a plan, and build a kit. Learn how to be prepared: https://www.ready.gov/plan

Review and practice tornado safety procedures in workplaces, schools and at home. When a tornado threatens, seek shelter on the lowest level of your building or home, in an interior room, away from doors and windows. Learn more about tornado safety: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes

March is National Nutrition Month

This year's theme is Celebrate a World of Flavors! Throughout March, embrace the foods and flavors of your heritage and other global cultures. Learn more: https://sm.eatright.org/NNMinfo

Upcoming Pop-Up Vaccine Events

Free COVID-19 Testing 

• Drive thru testing takes place in the parking lot in front of the Dept. of Social Services (DSS) at 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough, NC 27278. 
• Registration is strongly recommended and may be done online: mako.exchange/scheduler/registration/?location=7087 You may also call (919) 913-8088 to register weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-in are also welcome.
• Your Booking ID will be valid any day during clinic hours and is reusable.
• Mako offers only PCR tests.  

• Testing takes place at Southern Human Services Center (SHSC) at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 in the large conference room, which may be accessed via a side entrance, not the main entrance.
• Registration may be done online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 877-562-4850. Walk-in are also welcome.
• Optum offers both PCR and rapid tests.   
• You may find other testing locations here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-covid-19-tests

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

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. 

Ages 5 and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
By appointment only.
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC
Friday and Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 2,604,971 COVID-19 cases, 22,864 deaths and 1,093 hospitalizations. 61% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 25,656 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 123 deaths in Orange County. 79% of Orange County residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

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 COVID-19, 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 weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 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

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER.