Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The Orange County Call Center is in full operation! Anyone with questions about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can call (919) 245-6111. The center is open from 8:30am-5pm.

Receive COVID-19 Updates Through Text

Orange County residents can now receive COVID-19 updates by text message. If interested, text OCNCHEALTH to 888-777.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 92 COVID-19 cases, as of March 19, 2020. Here's a county-by-county breakdown:

27 cases in Durham County
22 cases in Wake County
14 cases in Mecklenburg County
4 cases in Harnett County
3 cases in Chatham County
2 cases in Johnston County
2 cases in Forsyth County
1 case in Buncombe County
1 case in Union County
1 case in Cabarrus County
1 case in New Hanover County
1 case in Moore County
1 case in Sampson County
1 case in Wayne County
1 case in Wilson County
2 cases in Iredell County
1 case in Cabarrus County
2 cases in Watauga County
1 case in Guilford County
1 case in Brunswick County
1 case in Onslow County
1 case in Craven County
1 case in Lincoln County
1 case in Hoke County

We expect these numbers to grow. For more information regarding live updates, visit the NCDHHS website.

Our main focus is assuring our community that Orange County is prepared for COVID-19.

Our community will work together to get through this. OCHD is working with NCDHHS, N.C. Emergency Management (NCEM), local health care providers, local first responders, local schools/universities, county and municipal partners to make sure we have resources needed to respond. If people are in a panic they don’t think clearly so it is important for us to reassure them.

It was reported on March 17, 2020, that a UNC-Chapel Hill employee had been tested for COVID-19 and results are presumptively positive. To be clear, this individual lives in another county. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County.

Social distancing is an important component in the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Included below are infographics in English, Spanish and Chinese that give tips on social distancing. Orange County encourages residents to practice social distancing along with other steps, such as proper hand washing, to combat the spread.

North Carolina to Close all Restaurants and Bars for Dine in. Takeout and Delivery Still Allowed.

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 a new executive order closes restaurants and bars for dine-in customers but allows them to continue takeout and delivery orders. Governor Roy Cooper and the members of the Coronavirus Task Force announced the executive order and also included an expansion of unemployment insurance to help North Carolina workers affected by COVID-19.

Click here for a list of restaurants in Orange County offering take-out service as well as a list of Farmers’ Markets.

Restaurants will be permitted to offer take-out and delivery services, according to Cooper. The order took effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Cooper’s office did not indicate for how long the order would be in effect. Cooper’s executive order also includes an expansion of unemployment benefits, easing the criteria to obtain benefits.

Notably, people seeking unemployment benefits because of COVID-19 related layoffs will no longer have to wait a week to file for benefits or complete an in-person interview. Employers won’t pay additional unemployment insurance taxes for employment cuts related to COVID-19.

More info on applying for unemployment applications here.

Cooper addressed the “reality that people will lose jobs” and announced five changes to the state’s current unemployment system made by his latest executive order:

Removes 1-week waiting period before applying for unemployment benefits
Removes requirement that person apply for jobs to be eligible
Allows applicants who lose jobs and, in some cases, have hours cut to apply for benefits
Permits online or phone applications
Directs the state not to hold employers financially responsible for benefits paid out due to Covid-19

Saturday, Cooper issued an executive order closing all public schools in the state and banning gatherings of 100 or more people until at least March 30. People or businesses found in violation of the order could be charged with a misdemeanor.

"This will be a long and difficult road for us to travel but we are North Carolinians, and we are resilient," Cooper said.

For more information, please visit the Orange County Health Department website and NCDHHS’ website.

Resource Information

Access to Food

Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) is collecting non-perishable food items at the Hillsborough and Chapel Hill locations to support those in the community impacted by COVID-19.

Hillsborough address: 113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Chapel Hill address: 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Orange County Schools have coordinated pick up/drop off locations for families to receive food. For more information, click here.

Additional county resources linked here.

NCDHHS Guidance

Child Care Settings
Long Term Care Facilities

For more information regarding NCDHHS COVID-19 guidance, click here.

Additional links to COVID-19 resources:

COVID-19 Response: Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in helping with Orange County NC's response to COVID-19?
Fill out this form and we'll contact you as we need volunteers. Please do not contact Orange County agencies directly to volunteer, as they are busy responding to emergent calls.

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) 245-6111. During business hours (8:30a.m. to 5 p.m.) The message will direct you to press 5 to either be connected to the Communicable Disease team or to leave a message for staff. We are actively monitoring this message box and will get back to you quickly. After-hours, call 911 and ask for the Communicable Disease Staff member on-call.

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
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC