COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Orange County and the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough have issued a stay at home order for all county residents through 5 p.m. April 30, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. Gov. Roy Cooper also has issued a statewide stay at home order, effective through April 29, 2020. See the Stay at Home Order page on this website for more information, including frequently asked questions.

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. Essential services are continuing, such as police protection, solid waste collection, and water and sewer service.

Please see the following recent news releases. Subscribe to receive news releases directly.

• Hillsborough Facility to Serve as Drop-off Site for COVID-19 Donation Drive
• Police Remind Community to Comply with Stay at Home Orders
• How Hillsborough Customers Are Affected by State Order on Utility Disconnections and Billing
• Step Aside 6 Feet for Safety
• Heed Stay at Home Orders to Protect Everyone
• Here's Some Guidance on N.C. and Orange County Stay at Home Orders
• Help for Businesses and Local Unemployed Service Workers
• Hillsborough Joins Orange County Stay at Home Order
• Stay at Home Order Pending for Orange County
• Law Enforcement Agencies' Response Amid COVID-19
• Mayor Encourages Community to Stay Together While Physically Apart
• Orange County Identifies First Cases of COVID-19
• Reminder: Only Waste, Water and Toilet Paper Should Be Flushed
• North Carolina to Close All Restaurants and Bars for Dine In; Takeout and Delivery Still Allowed
• Final Call: Submit a Question for State of Town Address
• Hillsborough to Lock Gates and Restrooms at Parks Starting March 17 to Slow Virus Spread
• Hillsborough Declares State of Emergency to Prioritize Customer and Employee Safety
• State of Town Address to Be Broadcast, Questions Solicited
• State Issues Recommendations to Slow Coronavirus Outbreak
• Orange County Health Department Encourages the Community to Increase Preparedness Measures for COVID-19

During these challenging times, many of us are needing help or wanting to help. Below are some ways to help your community. Please remember that adhering to social distancing guidelines is the most important way you can support our community. See information regarding social distancing in the key reminders and resources sections on this page.

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. During this time, two easy ways to make a one-time donation are:

• Online — use the online form.
• By phone — call 919-296-9450 to pay with a credit or debit card.

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

Support to local businesses

The pandemic is causing great financial hardship to our local businesses. It is important to support them throughout this period because they are the backbone of our economic security. While dine-in options are not available, takeout and delivery options still are. See our listing of the status of eatery establishments on the Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery page. See the county's Community Information page for restaurant listings outside Hillsborough.

Orange County efforts

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 Information page related to COVID-19 for more information and to complete a volunteer form.

Homeless services

The Orange County Homeless System has expanded hours for people in housing crisis to talk with someone to get help. People in housing crisis can:

• Go in person to the Orange County Department of Social Services, 113 Mayo St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
• Call the Homeless Helpline at 919-245-2655, to talk with someone:
  • 2-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
  • Midnight-6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday

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

The Town of Hillsborough and the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce are working with Orange County, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro to help mitigate the financial hardship small businesses are experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The group is providing guidance and funding options to businesses. See the group's frequently asked questions.

Please check the following resources for businesses:

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

Small Business Administration assistance

Small business owners in North Carolina are eligible to apply for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration due to COVID-19. See the agency's Disaster Loan Assistance page to apply online. For more information, see the Disaster Assistance page.

Below are sources for local news:

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

Below are resources made available by the town and Orange County Health Department. Please share.

COVID-19: 4 Ways to Pay Water and Sewer Bills

Flush Only the 3 P's (English)

Flush Only the 3 P's (Spanish)

How to Wash Your Hands

How to Wash Your Hands (Como Lavarse las Manos)

Six Feet Apart Stickers

Six Feet Apart Stickers (Pegatinas: A una distancia de 6 pies por favor)

Social Distancing: What does 6 feet look like?

The CDC now recommends everyone wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as in grocery stores and pharmacies.

Cloth Masks Dos and Don'ts

Below are guidelines for using a cloth mask.

Do:

• Wear a mask when running essential errands.
• Practice social distancing, even with the mask on in public.
• Take the mask off by the ear elastic when you get home and wash it as soon possible.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds after removing the mask and on a regular basis.

Don't:

• Touch the mask without washing your hands.
• Play with the mask while wearing it.
• Take the mask off by grabbing the center fabric near your mouth and nose.
• Share masks with others in your household without washing them first.

Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove the mask without assistance. Learn more on the CDC website.

Reminders

In addition to wearing masks, citizens should continue to:

• Wash hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw away the tissue after one use, and wash hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
• Avoid close contact with people.

For more information, see the CDC website.
 

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

Questions

Orange County has opened a call center for those living in Orange County if they have questions about COVID-19 or its impacts on Orange County services. Call 919-245-6111 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 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.
• 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 (available at all hours).

To submit questions online, visit www.ncpoisoncontrol.org and select "chat."

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 outbreak.