Chatham County, NC
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The best protection against COVID-19 is the vaccine.
Safe and effective vaccines are available for COVID-19. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You | Vaccines.gov
The Chatham County Public Health Department provides COVID vaccines free of charge.*
To schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from the Chatham County Public Health Department, call the Siler City clinic at 919-742-5641.
MORE: Vaccines for COVID-19 | CDC
This page includes information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including current recommendations.
*No health insurance required. Please bring your insurance card if you have health insurance.
Testing
You should test for COVID if:
- You have any symptoms of COVID (fever, chills, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose).
- You have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.
- CONSIDER: You are going to an event with a lot of people or are visiting someone at high-risk of contracting COVID or suffering severe complications from a COVID infection.
MORE: COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
This page includes information on the types of COVID-19 tests, appropriate isolation guidance, and antibody testing.
The Chatham County Public Health Department has free at-home COVID-19 tests with instructions on how to use the test and what to do if you test positive. Visit one of our locations below to pick up your free tests today.
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PITTSBORO |
SILER CITY |
Isolation
If you have tested positive for COVID, the CDC now recommends:
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
- If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
Long COVID
Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions (PCC). Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection. It is estimated that anywhere between 10-30% of individuals who contract COVID-19 will experience these symptoms.
MORE: Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC
If you think you have long COVID, please speak to your healthcare provider.
Additionally, the UNC Health COVID Recovery Clinic performs assessments and provides recommendations for individuals needing care for long COVID. This information is then transmitted to your healthcare provider for follow-up. A provider referral is needed for all new patients.
More Info
- How to Protect Yourself and Others | COVID-19 (CDC): The best ways for you to protect yourself and others from contracting the COVID virus.
- Testing, Treatment, & Test-to-Treat | COVID-19 (NCDHHS): Need fast access to treatment? Get tested and treated in one visit at a one-stop Test to Treat site.
- North Carolina Respiratory Virus Dashboard (NCDHHS): Get the latest data on trends related to COVID-19 and the flu in North Carolina.