April 27, 2022

April is National Cancer Control Month

April is National Cancer Control Month. The purpose of this awareness month is to promote cancer prevention, screening, and survivorship.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of death in NC. You can protect yourself by:
1) Getting screening tests regularly to find breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancers early. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some people who are at high risk.
2) Making healthy choices by protecting your skin, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink and keeping a healthy weight.
3) Getting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer.
4) Speaking with a health care provider on the best treatment and support services, if you are a cancer survivor. 

For more information about cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship services/resources, visit the NC Cancer Prevention and Control Branch webpage or the CDC webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future, as well as their partners.
 
People who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including getting a COVID-19 booster shot when it’s time to get one.
 
There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men.
 
COVID-19 can make you very sick during pregnancy. Additionally, if you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby.
 
Evidence continues to grow showing that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective during pregnancy. Learn more by visiting COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding.
 
COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. Data continue to accumulate and show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for use before and during pregnancy.

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
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 2,647,650 COVID-19 cases, 23,363 deaths and 351 hospitalizations. 62% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 27,057 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 125 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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