COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The state has mandated use of face coverings in certain locations. These include:

• Public transportation
• Schools
• Camps
• Child care facilities
• Health care settings such as hospitals, doctor’s offices and long-term care settings like nursing home
• Certain congregate settings such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters.

Businesses and other organizations are free to require face coverings and other safety measures.

The state recommends that people who are not vaccinated wear a face covering and maintain distance in all indoor public settings and in outdoor settings when they can't maintain six feet of distance.

Face coverings are recommended for everyone at crowded indoor events like sporting events and live performances.

North Carolina has opened vaccinations to all people age 12 and older. Full protection occurs two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.

Find nearby locations to receive a vaccine by using the state's online tool MySpot.nc.gov or calling 888-892-1162. Spanish and other languages are available. 

Walk-in and pop-up clinics

The Orange County Health Department offers walk-in vaccination clinics at the Whitted Human Services Center, 300 W. Tryon St. in Hillsborough, as well as pop-up clinics at other locations throughout the county. The vaccine is free, and no identification or insurance is required.

For a full schedule of pop-up and walk-in vaccine clinics in Orange County, visit www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot. To be notified when clinics are available, register with the Orange County Health Department online or by calling 919-913-8088, staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. Appointments also can be made through the registration site, and the site will show other vaccinators in the area and times when vaccines are available.

Additional providers

Additional vaccine providers in the area include:

• Duke Health ― Visit dukehealth.org or call 919-385-0429.
• UNC Health ― Visit YourShot.org or call 984-215-5485.
• Walgreens ― Visit walgreens.com or call 800-925-4733

More information

Additional and up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina is available on these sites.

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov
• UNC Health Care: YourShot.health
• Orange County Health Department: orangecountync.gov/GetYourShot

The Orange County Health Department offers regular testing events:

• Hillsborough ― 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Whitted Human Services Center parking lot, 300 W. Tryon St. 
• Chapel Hill ―  9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at the Orange County Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. 

Testing is drive through or walk up. Anyone can receive a test regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or are a close contact of someone positive for the virus. Registration is on site, and the nasal swab tests are billed to insurance or provided free to those without insurance.

Testing is sometimes canceled due to holidays or inclement weather. For updates, see the county’s COVID-19 Testing page. 

You can help slow transmission of the virus by using the state’s new SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification app. Download the app, enable your Bluetooth and Exposure Notification settings, and be notified if you have been in close contact with someone who has shared a positive COVID-19 test result in the app.

Once you opt-in to the notification system, you can also anonymously share a positive COVID-19 test result in the app. SlowCOVIDNC protects your identity and privacy while empowering you to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Information on the app is available in English and Spanish.

During these challenging times, many of us are needing help or wanting to help. Orange County maintains a listing of resources available to the community on its COVID-19 Community Resources page. Below are some ways to help your community. Please remember that adhering to COVID-19 safety measures is the most important way you can support our community.

Housing services

Orange County has expanded hours for people in housing crisis to talk with someone to get help. People in housing crisis can call the Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 to talk with someone:

• Noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Midnight-6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday

The county is routinely updating an online document with services available for people experiencing housing crises during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eviction moratorium

An order from N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper (available below) contains a moratorium on evictions and clarifies that federally subsidized properties are included. It is in effect through June 30. The order protects residential tenants from eviction for nonpayment of rent and requires landlords to make residential tenants aware of their rights.

Volunteers

Orange County is seeking volunteers to help in the response to COVID-19. In addition, it is hosting a list of community organizations that are coordinating events or fundraisers to benefit the community. See the county's Community Resources page related to COVID-19 for more information and to complete a volunteer form.

Water Assistance Program

The Water Assistance Program offers assistance with paying Hillsborough water and sewer bills and is funded entirely through donations from utility customers. The program is administered through a partnership with Orange Congregations in Mission, a local nonprofit organization. One-time donations can be made online using the payments and donations website. Recurring donations can be made using the online form.

For more information on the program, see the Water Assistance Program page.

Orange County and the towns and chambers of commerce within the county are working together to help mitigate the financial hardship small businesses are experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak and to help provide guidance on employment and reopening. The group is providing guidance and funding options to businesses. See the group's COVID-19 Resource Hub.

Please check the following resources for businesses:

• Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Business Resources. 
• The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina: North Carolina Business Reopening Resources ― COVID-19

Small Business Administration assistance

Small business owners in North Carolina can seek assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration due to COVID-19. See the agency's Coronavirus Relief Options page for more information.

Preparing buildings and facilities for reopening

Buildings that are underutilized or closed for more than a few days should take precautions before reopening. See the "business resources" section on this page for a comprehensive guide on reopening and for state guidance on reopening.

Flushing building water systems and devices

Water systems and devices in underutilized or unoccupied buildings should be flushed to ensure stale water is removed and fresh water with disinfectant is available. This reestablishes water quality and prevents waterborne illness. It includes all water-using appliances, like ice machines and dishwashers, and all water treatment devices, such as filters and water softeners. See the documents below. For additional information, contact the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.

Comprehensive guide

A comprehensive guide is now available to provide businesses with the best known guidance to ensure consumer confidence and to promote community health during the pandemic. It includes recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, and local public and environmental health professionals. 

The guide was drafted by the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with other entities in Chatham and Orange counties, including the Town of Hillsborough. It is in the form of a Google document to allow updates as new information is made available. The guide is available at www.reopeninghelp.com.

State guidance

The state recommends public-facing businesses post signage reminding guests to social distance and wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated, remind employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, have a plan to immediately isolate and remove sick workers and clean high-touch surfaces once a day. Businesses may choose to continue to require that their customers wear face coverings.

Additional business guidance and resources are available in the documents below and on the state's COVID-19 Guidance webpage.

The town is maintaining a list of town services affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures we are taking to slow the outbreak. Please check the page often for updates in changes to our services. 

The Orange County Long-Term Recovery Group is creating a plan for recovery from COVID-19 to help strengthen the community for all people. See the plan website for more information.

The town provides regular COVID-19 updates via news releases. View them online, or subscribe to receive news releases via email.

Below are sources for local news:

• WCHL (97.9 FM)
• WHUP (104.7 FM)
• The News of Orange County
• The Herald-Sun

The Orange County Health Department is our local source for health-related information.

Questions

Orange County has a voicemail message system for questions about COVID-19 or its impacts on Orange County services. Call 919-245-6111 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Spanish and other languages are available.

Send email to covid19@orangecountync.gov.

Updates

For information:

• See the department's COVID-19 web section (English).
• See the department's COVID-19 web section (Spanish).
• Sign up for daily text updates: Text 888-777 and put OCNCHEALTH in the message for English or OCNCSALUD for Spanish. Carrier message or data rates may apply.
• Sign up for the department's COVID-19 e-newsletter: www.orangecountync.gov/list.aspx
• Follow the department on Facebook: @orangecountyhealthdepartment
• Follow the department on Twitter: @OrangeHealthNC 
• See the department's YouTube channel: OCHDNC

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is our state authority when it comes to health-related concerns.

Text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive updates via text message.

Questions

For general, non-urgent questions about coronavirus, contact the department:

• By email: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov.
• By phone: 1-866-462-3821 or 211 (available at all hours).

Updates

For information:

• See the department's COVID-19 web section.
• Follow the department on Facebook: @ncdhhs.
• Follow the department on Twitter: @ncdhhs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the national authority for health-related concerns.

Updates

For information:

• See the agency's COVID-19 web section.
• Follow the CDC on Facebook: @CDC.
• Follow the CDC on Twitter: @CDCgov.
• Sign up to receive weekly emails about the pandemic.