Orange County recently received its first positive case of the novel coronavirus called COVID-19 at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
A spokesperson for the UNC Health system confirmed the center is treating a patient with COVID-19 on Thursday. The statement said the hospital, and all UNC Health locations, are following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department Health of Human Services to treat the case.
In an email with Chapelboro, the spokesperson said all UNC Health hospitals are prepared and equipped to care for more COVID-19 patients as positive tests are identified.
“We continue to work diligently to protect the safety of all patients and staff, while providing critical medical care for any patients who need it,” said the email. “To put it simply: This is what we do, and we are proud of our mission of improving the health and well-being of North Carolina, and providing life-saving medical care for our patients.”
UNC Health did not clarify whether the patient is an Orange County resident. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 does not allow the release of protected health information.
The news comes one day after UNC Health, Duke Health and WakeMed released a joint statement saying the systems are prioritizing or rescheduling many non-critical procedures in an effort to prepare its staff for COVID cases and to preserve resources. Additionally, UNC Health said on Thursday the Triangle region locations will begin performing only priority, urgent procedures and surgical cases in an effort to reduce the use of critical medical supplies.
UNC Health rolled out a new test for the coronavirus on Monday, which was developed at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
Orange County declared a state of emergency to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on March 13.
Note: 97.9 The Hill has been Chapel Hill and Orange County’s daily source for free local news since 1953. Please consider making a donation to continue supporting important local journalism like this.
Related Stories
‹
North Carolina Court Throws Out Conviction of Man With Guns Inside Car on CampusAn appeals court said a North Carolina man living in his car was wrongfully convicted when he parked near UNC Hospitals in 2021.
Surge of Flu, RSV Cases in Children Lead UNC Hospitals to Open More BedsAn influx of flu and Respiratory Syncytial virus, or RSV, cases in children is causing UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill to open up more beds. A release from UNC Health on Thursday said the main hospital building recently created a “Pediatric Surge Unit” on its sixth floor in order to provide more care space for […]
'Together is The Only Path Forward': Orange County's Habitat for Humanity Hosts Affordable Housing SummitAmid a shortage of affordable housing – both locally and nationally – the Orange County chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently held a summit to discuss how leaders can collectively aim to better address the issue.
Local Government Meetings: February 9-13, 2025This week in local government: residents in Chatham County push back against Flock license-plate cameras and AI data centers.
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
Increase of Flu Cases, Respiratory Illnesses Causes UNC Health to Start Visitor RestrictionsFollowing a rise in flu cases and other respiratory illnesses so far this winter, UNC Health hospitals across North Carolina are implementing temporary visitor restrictions at their facilities.
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
UNC Hospitals Recognized for Best Maternity CareUNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill was one of six UNC Health facilities across the state to be recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The list named all six UNC Health hospitals as “high performing,” which is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of […]
Orange County Authorities Find Missing Teenager After Brief SearchUPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office said at 10:57 p.m. the missing child has since been located.
Soccer Fields and Open Space: Orange County Explores Potential Uses for Millhouse Road SiteOrange County is starting to make headway on a piece of land it has owned for two decades along Millhouse Road.
›
