The latest update from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services revealed Orange County has multiple positive COVID-19 cases on Friday.

NCDHHS reported four cases in the county on Friday morning, with the Orange County Health Department confirming multiple people in the county have received positive COVID-19 cases. In a release shared Friday morning, the county department did not give a specific number and suggested residents refer to the NCDHHS reports for the most accurate numbers.

The reports come one day after UNC Health officials confirmed a positive COVID-19 case was being treated at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. It is unknown whether the patient is an Orange County resident.

The Orange County Health Department said those who have tested positive are in isolation at their homes and are doing well. Director Quintana Stewart released a statement with the news, saying the county has been working closely with NCDHHS, Orange County EMS and health care providers to quickly respond to any cases.

“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure the Orange County community members that we are prepared,” said Stewart. “With the global spread of this virus we anticipated that we would eventually identify a case here in Orange County.”

Governor Roy Cooper announced the first documented case of COVID-19 through community spread on Thursday, meaning the individual tested positive without traveling to an impacted area or no close contact with a positive confirmed COVID-19 case. While state health officials said the news changed how they are reacting to the virus’ spread, Stewart said Orange County is doing the same.

“This new information has shifted our response efforts from containment to mitigation,” she said. “The goal is to slow the transmission of disease and protect our high-risk population and healthcare and critical infrastructure workforces.”

Orange County recently established a hotline for residents to call to learn more about COVID-19, how to protect their health and what county services are being impacted. People can call 919-245-6111 and is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week or use a text service for daily updates.

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