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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Orange County Vaccine Dashboard North Carolina (NCDHHS) Dashboard | Learn more about how to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 when gathering. |
Scroll down to view the COVID-19 test and vaccine calendars for the most up to date information.
Orange County COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Expires Sunday, May 1

The longest-running state of emergency declaration in Orange County history will expire at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. Orange County originally declared a state of emergency due to COVID on March 13, 2020, and extended it more than a dozen times as conditions warranted. With the overall situation improving, officials will allow the current declaration to expire as scheduled.
As a result, masks will no longer be required in some indoor settings, including public transportation. Even so, Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart urges individuals to wear masks while using public transportation.
“Wearing a mask is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations,” she said. “Wearing a well-fitted mask over the nose and mouth in indoor travel or public transportation settings protects the individual wearing the mask and those around them, including those who are immunocompromised, unvaccinated or not yet vaccine-eligible. This helps to keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone.”
Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect all children from COVID-19. GET VACCINATED.
Why are some people still wearing masks in public?
Community members with questions may reach the OCHD call center at (919) 913-8088 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Spanish and other languages available.
Did you or someone in your household test positive for COVID-19 or become a close contact?
More frequently asked questions and answers may be found on the NCDHHS website. |
VISIT THE OCHD HEALTH EQUITY PAGE
Orange County Government cares about diversity, equity and inclusion. As a community, we need to be mindful of xenophobia (dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries).
As COVID-19 spreads, so does xenophobia. We want to avoid any speech or action that would make minorities in our community feel exposed and vulnerable. Pathogens and viruses do not discriminate, however humans do.
The Orange County Health Department will not contribute to racial profiling and marginalization, portraying the carrier of this illness as “foreign and alien.” We will stick to the science and treat all community members with respect.
- Newsletter: Sign up for the COVID-19 newsletter from the Orange County Health Department.
- Missed past newsletters?Go here:
- Call Center: Questions about COVID-19 vaccines or testing? Call (919) 913-8088 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Spanish language and other languages available.
- Email: Email your questions to covid19@orangecountync.gov.
- Social Media
For the latest on COVID-19 and its impacts in Orange County, follow the Orange County Health Department on social media at the links below.
PRESS RELEASES: Stay up to date with the latest information from the OCHD by visiting the press release page. https://www.orangecountync.gov/2410/COVID-19-Media
Sign up to receive press releases by emailing Kristin Prelipp, Public Information Officer and Communications Manager for OCHD at kprelipp@orangecountync.gov.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Please direct any media inquiries to OCHD Public Information Officer and Communications Manager, Kristin Prelipp at (919) 245-2462. Direct public information requests related to Orange County’s COVID-19 response to Todd McGee, Orange County Community Relations/EOC Public Affairs, at (984) 220-5412 or by using THIS FORM.