April 13, 2022

COVID-19 Update with Health Director Quintana Stewart

• COVID-19 update
• Information about the BA.2 variant 
• When to wear a mask
• Vaccines and much more!

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness 

April 10 - 16, 2022 is STD Awareness week! Get Yourself Tested is a campaign encouraging young people to get tested and treated for STDs and HIV to protect their health and that of their partners. STDs affect people of all ages, yet these diseases take a particularly heavy toll on young people.

• All STD's can be treated and some can be cured!
•  Many STD's have no symptoms. Protect your health by getting tested. 
• Almost HALF of all new STDS are in people under the age of 25. Protect yourself and your partner by getting tested.

We are Hiring! 

We Are Hiring!
• Part-Time Public Health Nurse Supervisor I
• Public Health Nurse I
• Public Health Nurse Supervisor I

Here is what your future co-workers have to say about working at OCHD:

"I really love working with a diverse patient population and patients who appreciate our nursing care!"

"I like having a one hour lunch which allows me to take a walk outside."

"Great team who all believe in the same mission!"

Learn more: bit.ly/ochdpublichealth

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Talking to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking doesn’t have to be a big production. Having lots of little conversations can be one of the most effective ways to educate your children about alcohol:.
Helpful tips:  https://www.talkitoutnc.org/starting-the-conversation/

To help them navigate these challenges, it’s important to understand the signs your teenager may be experiencing some common teenage behavior problems. Here are a few of the top signs you should pay attention to.

What Are the Warning Signs?
1. Failing Grades
2. Isolation
3. Sleeping All the Time.
4. Change in Appetite.
5. Secretive Behavior or Lying

Helplines:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Visit www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has a list of medical substance abuse service providers throughout the state: Local Management Entities By County.
• Talk it Out: https://www.talkitoutnc.org

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 CLOSED FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH!
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
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 2,634,007 COVID-19 cases, 23,257 deaths and 381 hospitalizations. 62% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 26,215 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

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