Press Releases

North Carolina Identifies Second Case of COVID-19

A second North Carolina person, unrelated to the first case, has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.

Governor's Task Force Announces State Laboratory Now Able to Test for COVID-19

As North Carolina continues to prepare for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, the NC State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) within the NC Department of Health and Human Services is now able to perform testing for the virus. This new capability allows North Carolina to more quickly take public health steps to respond to any positive test result.

North Carolina Identifies First Case of COVID-19

A North Carolina person has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.

Governor’s Task Force Encourages North Carolinians to Increase Preparedness Measures for COVID-19

Governor Roy Cooper’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infections occurring in North Carolina and is encouraging businesses, schools, health care providers, communities and individuals to prepare as well. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.

North Carolina Selected to Participate in US Department of Labor's VOICE Initiative to Increase Employment to Those with Disabilities

North Carolina is among 12 states selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to Participate in an initiative to increase employment of people with disabilities.

Governor Cooper Directs Creation of Novel Coronavirus Task Force to Continue Protective Efforts

Governor Roy Cooper formalized the state's ongoing effort to monitor, prepare for and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (CoVID-19) with a state Novel Coronavirus Task Force.

North Carolina is ‘High-Performer’ in Public Health Emergency Preparedness

North Carolina is among states rated as high performers in public health emergency preparedness measures by a nonpartisan, nonprofit that advocates for optimal health for people and communities through prevention of illness and injuries.

NCDHHS Provides Coronavirus Update for Travelers Returning to North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak and assure the health and well-being of North Carolinians as resident

NCDHHS Releases Final Report on 2019 Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Western North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released the final report on the public health investigation into an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in people who attended the NC Mountain State Fair held Sept. 6–15, 2019 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC.

NC Medicaid Celebrates 50 Years of Improving Health for North Carolina

This year marks the 50th anniversary of North Carolina's Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities throughout the state. The NC Department of Health and Human Services will celebrate the milestone throughout the year with #NCMedicaidAt50 and by collecting stories on the impact of Medicaid in North Carolina.

NCDHHS Coronavirus Update, No Confirmed Cases in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health departments and health care providers to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that originated in Wuhan, China.

DHHS Holds Mental Health Town Hall Meetings to Hear Directly from those Receiving Services

State leaders from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services will be traveling across North Carolina over the next several months on a town hall listening tour to listen to the concerns and experiences of consumers, families and advocates. Meetings will be held in Wilmington, Winston-Salem and five other locations to be announced.

Test Results Negative for Possible Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in North Carolina

The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) is reporting that a patient who was being tested for the novel (new) 2019 coronavirus is not infected with the virus. Negative results were received this evening from testing performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

DHHS Investigating Possible Case of Coronavirus in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating a possible case of infection with the newly discovered 2019 coronavirus. The individual recently traveled to China and passed through Wuhan City, where the outbreak originated, but had not visited the seafood and animal market that was linked to many early cases.

North Carolina’s Opioid Response Getting National Attention; State Leaders to Testify at Congressional Hearing

Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health & Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Kody H. Kinsley from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will testify Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on “A Public Health Emergency: State Efforts to Curb the Opioid Crisis.'

Free Radon Test Kits Available During January

In conjunction with National Radon Action Month, the North Carolina Radon Program is distributing 3,000 radon test kits at no charge this month.

DHHS Announces $2.1 Million to 23 Health Departments to Address the Opioid Crisis

Twenty-three local health departments in North Carolina will receive a share of a $2.1 million award annually for up to three years to implement high-impact, community-level strategies to address the opioid crisis.

State Health Officials Report First Pediatric Flu Death of 2019–20 Season

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first influenza-associated pediatric death for the 2019–2020 flu season. A child in the western part of the state died in December from complications associated with influenza infection.

Statement from NCDHHS on Preliminary OCME Findings after Recent Infant Deaths in Durham

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) typically does not release individual autopsy reports and information prior to the completion of the case. However, given the public health concerns surrounding the Durham Housing Authority’s McDougald Terrace location, DHHS is sharing information about the carbon monoxide laboratory results today related to three infant deaths in Durham County.

North Carolina Awarded $56 Million to Promote Children’s Well-being and Early Learning

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina will receive $56 million in federal funding over the next seven years to support children’s health and well-being, improve access to high-quality early learning for families across the state and invest in the state’s early childhood workforce.