April 20, 2022

Protect all Eligible Children by Keeping their Vaccinations Up to Date 

COVID-19 can make some children very sick. A new MMWR report finds that among nearly 400 children ages 5–11 years hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first few months of Omicron:

• 9 in 10 were unvaccinated

• 7 in 10 had COVID-19 as the main reason for hospitalization

• 3 in 10 had no underlying conditions

• 2 in 10 were admitted to the ICU

 
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect all children from COVID-19. Make an appointment today online or by calling (919) 913-8088.

Earth Day is Friday, April 22
In Environmental Health, Everyday is Earth Day!

April 22 marks the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, begun in 1970 and celebrated around the world. Earth Day reminds us of our personal and collective responsibility to preserve and protect our environment. In the OCHD Environmental Health division, the staff work year round to protect the environment for all people in Orange County. 

Recent research has shown that many people continue to believe that “public health” refers to government health programs for financially vulnerable people. In fact, public health is about protecting populations—families, communities, cities, states, nations and tribes—from threats to their health, safety, and well-being.

Environmental public health focuses on protecting groups of people from everyday threats to their health and safety that result from elements in their environments.

Protecting people from environmental health threats requires an understanding of basic human needs and how the environment can affect them. Meeting these needs contributes to our physical, mental and emotional health. 

• Basic physical needs that are required for life
  • Breathable air
  • Drinkable water
  • Sanitary food
  • Safe shelter

Masks Still Required on Public Transit in Orange County

Per the emergency declaration masks are still required on public transportation in Orange County, NC. Each individual transit provider has the option to lift the mandate. At this time, all public transportation departments in Orange County are still requiring masks.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! Walk-ins are welcome! 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
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
This clinic will be closed on Friday, April 22nd but will be open on Sat. the 23rd!
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted. 
***Ages 5 and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

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

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 2,639,241 COVID-19 cases, 23,334 deaths and 369 hospitalizations. 62% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 26,520 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 124 deaths in Orange County. 76% 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.