COVID-19 Testing
The Orange County Health Department hosts COVID-19 testing for free, convenient PCR tests (insurance will be billed). For those without insurance the tests are also available and are free. NCDHHS contracts with Mako Medical to do this testing at OCHD locations. The schedule:
Walk-in Testing in Chapel Hill
Tuesday and Thursday
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.
Offers PCR tests only for all ages.
Chapel Hill: https://bit.ly/makotestingch
- Your Booking ID will be valid any day during clinic hours and is reusable.
- You may also register by calling (919) 913-8088. The call center is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
- You will be asked to self-swab. If you are unwilling or unable to collect your own specimen, please ask for assistance at the testing site.
- Results should arrive in 24 to 72 hours. If you need assistance obtaining your results, call 919-351-MAKO (6256) or email COVIDResponseTeam@makomedical.com.
The Test to Treat initiative gives individuals an important way to quickly access free lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider (either on site or through telehealth), and have their prescription filled all at one location. These “One-Stop Test to Treat” sites are available at thousands of locations nationwide, including pharmacy-based clinics, federally-funded health centers, long-term care facilities, and community-based sites.
The chart to the right lists all the Test to Treat sites in Orange County, as well as their contact information and requirements. A national call center is available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8:00 am to midnight ET, 7 days a week.
Other Testing Locations in Orange County
Click the image below for a full document of available testing locations.
DISCLAIMER: This Information changes often and quickly. For up to date info, please visit:https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place
or contact your preferred site directly!
What to Do After Testing?
Source:
ENGLISH: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/communication/print-resources/3key-steps-when-waiting-for-COVID-19-results_card.pdf
SPANISH: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/Key-Steps-When-Waiting-For-COVID-19-Results_Final_508-es.pdf
There are a number of reasons why you may be tested for COVID-19. It may be because you have COVID-19 symptoms, were a close contact of someone with COVID-19, are in a job or a population that may be at higher risk for exposure and suspect you may have been exposed to COVID-19; or are in a job or a population for which routine or repeat testing is recommended or required. The information below will help you to determine what you should do while you are waiting for your test results, and what to do after your test results are available.
COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever, chills, or repeated shaking/shivering
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
- Feeling unusually weak or fatigued
- Loss of taste or smell
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Runny or congested nose
- Diarrhea (loose stools 3 or more times a day)
What do I do while I wait for my test results?
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, were tested because you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, or you suspect you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home and, as much as possible, avoid others in your household. In addition, if you were tested because you have COVID-19 symptoms, everyone in your household should stay at home as much as possible until your results are known.
If you were tested for COVID-19 but have no symptoms and no known or suspected exposure to someone with COVID- 19 (for example, as part of a workplace screening program), you do not need to stay home while waiting for your results unless you are told to do so by your employer or by a public health official.
What if my test is negative? What if my test is positive?
If your test comes back positive, you should stay away from others and follow current CDC isolation guidelines for people with COVID-19.
Treatment is available, but even with newly authorized treatments, there is very limited availability. These treatments will be limited to high-risk people first – those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised patients who are at high risk for severe disease, hospitalization or death. Talk to your doctor to see if there is a treatment available for you.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently and are at high risk for severe disease because you are unvaccinated or immunocompromised, talk to your doctor about treatment or call 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish).
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for those who have tested positive for COVID-19
If you have had symptoms for 10 days or less treatment options such as monoclonal antibodies are available. Ask your doctor about treatment or call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish). You may also visit UNC Healthcare and Duke Health System for the treatment.
Information that applies to anyone who is advised to stay home because of COVID-19
- Stay home except to seek medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- Do not use public transportation, ride shares, or taxis.
- Separate yourself from others in your home, especially people who are at higher risk of serious illness.
- Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home as much as possible. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Do not prepare or serve food to others.
- Do not allow visitors into your home.
Prevent the Spread:
- Wear a cloth face covering or mask over your nose and mouth if you are in a room with others. If you are unable to wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth or mask, others should wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth or mask if they share or enter the room.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sneeze into your sleeve -- not into your hands -- then throw away the tissue into a lined trashcan and immediately wash hands.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds -- especially after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, or after going to the bathroom. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum content of 60% alcohol can be used instead of soap and water if your hands are not visibly dirty.
- Do not share household items such as dishes, cups, utensils, towels, bedding with other people. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. Laundry may be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water and detergent; bleach may be added but is not necessary.
- Clean and disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces daily (including counters, tabletops, doorknobs, faucets, toilets, phones, tv remotes, keys, keyboards), and especially any surfaces that may have body fluids on them. Use household cleaning and disinfectant sprays or wipes, according to the product label instructions. More info: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html
Practice Home Care:
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to reduce fever and pain.
Do not give children younger than age 2 years any medications without first checking with a doctor. Note that medicines do not “cure” COVID-19 and do not stop you from spreading the virus. - Seek medical care if your symptoms get worse, especially if you are at a higher risk of serious illness. • Symptoms that indicate you should seek medical care include:
- If possible, call ahead before going to your doctor’s office or hospital to tell them you are isolating for COVID- 19. This will help the health care personnel prepare for your arrival and protect others from getting infected.
- Do not wait in any waiting rooms and do wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth or mask at all times if possible.
- Do not use public transportation.
- If you call 911, first notify the dispatch and paramedics that you are under isolation for COVID-19.
Contact Tracing
Contact tracing is the identification and monitoring of all persons who might have been exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. If you are COVID-19 positive or if you are contacted about having been exposed, you are not in trouble. Contract Tracers want to help by providing guidance to keep you and everyone around you healthy.
Contact Tracers Will:
- Tell you about your risk
- Tell you how to monitor your symptoms
- Help connect you to resources and support you may need
- Keep your information confidential
- Ask for your date of birth
Contact Tracers Will Not:
- Ask for your social security number
- Ask for your bank information
See sample scenario from NC DHHS provides a full picture of the contact tracing process from testing onward. Available in English and Spanish.