August 17, 2022

First Case of Monkeypox in Orange County

The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) has confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Orange County. The case has been in direct communication with the Orange County Health Department communicable disease team and has been referred to isolate per recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). OCHD has opened a contact investigation to notify close contacts and provide guidance on signs, symptoms, testing, treatment and vaccination. To protect patient privacy, no additional information about this individual will be shared.

Nearly 13,000 cases of monkeypox have been identified in the United States. OCHD continues to work closely with state and national partners to monitor the current national outbreak and respond within Orange County.

“We have been preparing for a case of monkeypox and now that it is here, we want our community to be aware of this disease so that those at risk can seek medical care and get tested promptly if they have symptoms,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart.

Anyone can be infected by monkeypox regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or any other identity.

READ MORE.

Free COVID-19 Supplies

While supplies last, community members may pick up COVID-19 supplies from the Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough. Items include:

N95 Masks
Cloth Masks
Gloves
COVID-19 At Home Tests
Hand Sanitizer

Address: 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

Organizations May Register to Become a Community Access Point for Free COVID-19 Tests

NCDHHS offers free at home COVID-19 tests to community organizations interested in becoming a Community Access Point. Interested organizations may register online: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/community-access-points

Where to find at-home tests: covid19.ncdhhs.gov/PickUpTests.
How and where to find all testing locations in North Carolina: covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTests.

Free FreshStart Classes to Begin Sept. 6

Free virtual Freshstart classes begin on Tuesday, September 6 and will continue for 4 weeks. In this class participants will learn to make a plan to quit tobacco and will get free patches, gums and lozenges to maintain their quit. To register, call Rita Krosner at (919) 245-2424 or email smokefree@orangecountync.gov.

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.

Ages 6 months 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
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Appointments only.
***Ages 6 months 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 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted.
***Ages 6 months and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Free COVID-19 Testing

Drive-Thru Testing in Hillsborough

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9 am to 4 pm
113 Mayo St., Hillsborough (in front of the Dept. of Social Services)
To register visit https://bit.ly/makotesting or call (919) 913-8088.

Walk-in Testing in Chapel Hill
Tuesdays and Thursdays
8 am to 3 pm

2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill at the Southern Human Services Center
To register visit https://bit.ly/makotestingch or call (919) 913-8088.

Both locations will offer PCR tests only for all ages.

You may find other testing locations here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-covid-19-tests

VIEW THE CALENDAR

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 3,074,964 COVID-19 cases, 25,760 deaths and 1,282 hospitalizations. 65% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 34,249 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 142 deaths in Orange County.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 80%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with Two Doses or one Dose J&J: 77%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One Booster/ Additional Dose: 60%

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

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