COVID-19 Help
Find out if you are currently eligible for a vaccine, sign up to get notified, or find a vaccine provider at
Get Your Shot (Orange County NC)
If you have specific questions or concerns related to coronavirus, call the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (NC DHHS) 24/7 phone number
1-866-462-3821
or visit the NC DHHS Coronarivus website for more information.
In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
You can also submit questions online by selecting Chat at www.ncpoisoncontrol.org.
______________________
Need someone to talk to?
You are not alone.
SAMHSA's National Helpline (24/7)
call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7)
call 800-273-TALK (8255) or chat with a person at the Lifeline here.
National Domestic Violence Helpline (24/7)
call 1-800-799-7233
text LOVEIS to 22522
log onto thehotline.org
Questions about this page?
Please note:
The Health Sciences Library cannot offer medical advice. Please use the resources above or contact a licensed medical professional for COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment.
Latest News
For the latest information, residents of North Carolina should visit 
the
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Coronavirus Disease 2019
section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
National News
- CDC News RoomLatest news releases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States (CDC)Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries and Administration
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases Dashboard (Johns Hopkins CSSE)COVID-19 Dashboard with global data on cases, deaths, and vaccine doses administered by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
- COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard (University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute)COVID-19 Dashboard with global case and vaccine data by the University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute. Includes a video tutorial on how to use the dashboard.
- LitCovid (National Library of Medicine)LitCovid is a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about the 2019 novel Coronavirus. It is the most comprehensive resource on the subject, providing a central access to 737 (and growing) peer-review articles. The articles are updated daily and are further categorized by different research topics and geographic locations for improved access.
North Carolina News
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) COVID-19 ResponseGet the latest news and updates on COVID-19 in North Carolina, including precaution and preparations for Individuals, Families and Communities; Businesses and Employers; Health Care; Colleges, Schools and Child Care; and Long-term Care Facilities.
- COVID-19 State Profile Report - North Carolina (CDC)A weekly snapshot that focuses on recent outcomes in the last seven days and changes relative to the month prior. Provides additional contextual information at the county level for each state and includes national-level information.
COVID-19 Scholarship by UNC-Chapel Hill Researchers
Research contributing to discoveries associated with COVID-19 has been growing 
on the UNC campus over the past year. To help increase visibility of this integral research and illustrate the extensive organizational collaborations that help move UNC research forward, a team from University Libraries – Health Sciences Library analyzed the COVID-19 research output of UNC Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) researchers. Between January 2020 and April 2021, a total of 782 UNC-CH researchers have authored 579 publications.
Access the full report and supplementary data at:
Face Coverings
In Orange County, masks are no longer required in public spaces, but wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC recommends wearing a face covering in public settings where other social distancing is difficult (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies). Wearing a mask and social distancing will especially help people with underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance.
- UNC Medical Center clinical areas, public hallways, and hospital-provided transportation
- Campus Health facilities
- The University Employee Occupational Health Clinic
- Carolina Together Testing Center
- Student Stores Pharmacy and the Carolina Together Vaccination Clinic
- Any patient clinics on campus
- University transit, including P2P, Safe Ride and U and RU buses
Calculate Your Covid Risk
- microCOVID ProjectThis calculator lets you estimate COVID risk and find effective safety measures for customizable situations. Examples: how risky is a trip to my grocery store? What's the safest way to see a friend? How much would it help to wear a better mask at my workplace?
- COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning ToolThis map shows the risk level of attending an event, given the event size and location.
- 19 and Me: COVID-19 Risk Score CalculatorThis tool synthesizes reported COVID-19 geographic case data and rapidly evolving scientific research to help you ballpark how much risk this disease poses to you. Works best with Chrome browser.
Getting a Vaccination
Everyone aged 6 months and up is eligible to receive a vaccine!
Find a COVID-19 vaccine:
Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
Vaccine providers near Orange County NC:
- Orange County Health Department ― Visit their Get Your Shot page to sign up or call 919-913-8088 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. seven days a week.
- UNC Health ― Visit the Get Vaccinated page or call 984-215-5485 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Piedmont Health Services ― Visit the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination page or call 919-545-3452.
- Hillsborough Pharmacy ― Visit their Home Page or call 919-245-1212.
- Duke Health ― Visit the COVID-19 Vaccines Update page to join the waiting list. If you are a Duke MyChart user, you can check Duke MyChart regularly to view appointment availability.
- Cone Health ― Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Information page to join the waiting list.
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System ― Call 919-286-0411 and dial 0 for the operator to schedule an appointment if you are a veteran at high risk or a veteran frontline essential worker. See the system’s website for more information. See the COVID-19 Vaccine for High Risk Veterans to see the listing of veterans eligible now for vaccination through the VA.
Data from Get Your Shot (Orange County NC)
- Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You (Vaccines.gov)Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.
Getting a vaccine booster shot
An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for people 12 and older, two months after they finish their primary series or any booster dose. It offers the most up-to-date protection against the latest Omicron variants. People age 5-11 can still get the original booster. The boosters, like all COVID-19 vaccines, are safe to get alongside the annual flu vaccine.
Covid Treatments
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one drug, remdesivir (Veklury), to treat COVID-19.
Three anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody products currently have Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in nonhospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease and/or hospitalization. The FDA also issued an EUA for high-titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma and only for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 early in the disease course or hospitalized patients who have impaired immunity.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments against Covid-19 are available at several UNC Health locations.
The criteria for patients to be considered for Monoclonal Antibody infusion therapy are:
- Test positive for SARS-CoV-2
- Have at least mild symptoms for no more than seven days
- Are age 65 plus or less than 65 but have a chronic health problem that puts you at risk for severe COVID-19. These include obesity, diabetes, lung disease, and heart disease, among others.
To find out if you are at high risk and eligible for COVID 19 Monoclonal Antibody infusion therapy, please call the UNC COVID Help Line at 888-850-2684, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., 7 days a week.
UNC is also part of a large study that is working to identify additional medications to treat COVID. The project is called Rise Above COVID or the ACTIV-2 Study is investigating medicines to see if they can help adults with COVID-19 recover more quickly.
You could be eligible to participate in the study if you tested positive for Covid-19 less than 10 days before, are not in the hospital, and have Covid-19 symptoms.
Drugs not recommended for treatment of Covid-19
The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) provides recommendations for using antiviral drugs to treat COVID-19 based on the available data. The following drugs have been evaluated by the Panel and not recommended, or there is not enough evidence for the Panel to make a recommendation
Ivermectin
- There is insufficient evidence for the Panel to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. Results from adequately powered, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials are needed to provide more specific, evidence-based guidance on the role of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.
Nitazoxanide
- The Panel recommends against the use of nitazoxanide for the treatment of COVID-19, except in a clinical trial (BIIa).
Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine and/or Azithromycin
- The Panel recommends against the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients (AI) and in nonhospitalized patients (AIIa).
Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Other HIV Protease Inhibitors
- The Panel recommends against the use of lopinavir/ritonavir and other HIV protease inhibitors for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients (AI) and in nonhospitalized patients (AIII).
Rating of Recommendations: A = Strong; B = Moderate; C = Optional
Rating of Evidence: I = One or more randomized trials without major limitations; IIa = Other randomized trials or subgroup analyses of randomized trials; IIb = Nonrandomized trials or observational cohort studies; III = Expert opinion
UNC-Chapel Hill Resources
UNC-Chapel Hill Updates
Information on the University’s response to COVID-19, the Carolina Together Testing Program, and our COVID-19 Community Standards.
Students, Faculty, Staff, and Researchers
COVID-19 information as it relates to UNC Health and affiliated hospitals,
preparations, as well as tips for staying healthy
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Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research Responds to COVID-19
Information for UNC-CH researchers about the impact of COVID-19
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UNC Gillings School of Public Health Coronavirus Resources
Links and information on the COVID-19 pandemic, including the work the Gillings School experts are doing
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UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases
COVID-19 information and resources for researchers and patients
North Carolina Resources
Statewide Resources
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Coronavirus Resource Guide (NC Chamber of Commerce)General information that may be relevant to individuals and entities responding or reacting to the COVID-19 outbreak
Triangle County Information
Links to public health alerts, advisories, and updates as well communicable disease prevention information and resources you need
Links to information on COVID-19 vaccinations,
reporting, testing, and guidance for specific groups
Links, videos, and tools for Orange County residents
About COVID-19
Situation Summary
CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
Public Health Information
- COVID-19 Fact Sheets (COVID-19 Health Literacy Project)COVID-19 Fact Sheets available in 34 languages. All materials are reviewed and vetted by physicians and medical school faculty members at the Harvard hospitals, created in collaboration with Harvard Health Publishing.
- COVID-19 Spanish and Indigenous Language ResourcesCOVID information resources listed by U.S. state. Created by the Latinx Caucus of the Medical Library Association.
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public (WHO)Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others using the information on this website.
- Coronavirus Information Center (Elsevier)Free health and medical research on novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- New England Journal of Medicine Coronavirus UpdatesA collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, including clinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary.
- What to Do If You Are Sick With COVID-19 (CDC)Call ahead to a healthcare professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread. Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or contact. Your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Travel Information
About COVID-19 Variants
- About Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19 (CDC)What you need to know about COVID-19 Variants according to the CDC. Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
- Variants and Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 (CDC)Information on how the CDC is surveilling variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.