• Community

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Coronavirus

Please check this page for updates, and subscribe to town news releases.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are now available to all people age 5 and older.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services advises all vaccinated people to get a booster shot if they are at least 12 years old and received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago or received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

To find a nearby location to receive a vaccine or for vaccination questions, visit the NCDHHS website at MySpot.nc.gov or call 888-675-4567 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Spanish and other languages are available.

Vaccine providers in the area include:

Testing

The Orange County Health Department contracts with operators of free, drive-through COVID-19 testing sites in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. For more information about these and other testing options, see the county’s COVID-19 Testing page.

Mask guidance

Orange County does not currently have a mask mandate. Updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors only in areas where the COVID-19 virus has substantial or high community transmission. See the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

Masks are not required on public transportation, but they are recommended by the Orange County Health Department.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services continues to recommend masks for individuals in high-risk settings such as health and long-term care facilities, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.

Federal regulations still require masks in some places, such as long-term care facilities.

Community support

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 staff can assist with several county programs including Eviction Diversion and Emergency Housing Assistance.

People in housing crisis can call the Orange County Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 to talk with someone noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday or midnight-6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Contact staff by email at housinghelp@orangecountync.gov.

Water assistance

The town and state offer water assistance programs for temporary emergency help with paying water and sewer bills.

One-time donations to the town program can be made online using the payments and donations website. Recurring donations can be made using the online form. 

For more information on receiving assistance or on donating to the town program, see the Water Assistance page.

file icon Help with Rent, Eviction, Housing (English)  

file icon Help with Rent, Eviction, Housing (Spanish)  

Business resources

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.

State guidance

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

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.

Recovery planning

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.

SlowCOVIDNC app

You can help slow transmission of the virus by using the state’s 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.

Information resources

For more information, please visit the county, state and federal resources listed below.

Orange County Health Department

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services

  • Web — English or Spanish
  • Facebook — @ncdhhs
  • Twitter — @ncdhhs
  • Phone (vaccination questions) — 888-675-4567 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
  • Phone (general) — 888-892-1162 or 211 any time
  • Text updates — COVIDNC to 898211

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Emergency declaration

file icon N.C. Executive Order No. 116  — emergency declaration, effective March 10, 2020

file icon N.C. Executive Order No. 116 (Spanish translation)