Learn the facts. Be prepared. Stay informed.
To keep you update, we have created a member-specific and provider-specific web page.
Please click on the appropriate button to visit either page.
Find the latest COVID-19 news at https://www.nc.gov/covid19/covid19-news-releases.
NCDHHS Releases New Tools to Help North Carolinians Get COVID-19 Vaccine Information
NCDHHS launched tools to help individuals get their COVID-19 related questions answered and find vaccine locations throughout the state. The COVID-19 help center is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 888-675-4567. The help center will answer questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine. The help center will support English and Spanish calls and TTY. There will be a language line to support other languages that are needed.
North Carolinians can also visit the Find a Vaccine Location search tool to learn about nearby vaccine providers. The search tool also allows users to directly contact vaccine providers and schedule appointments. Currently, only health care workers, long-term care staff and residents, and people 65 and older (Groups 1 and 2) are eligible for vaccination.
Last week, NCDHHS released the Find My Vaccine Group online tool to help individuals know when they are eligible for the COVID- 19 vaccine. Although vaccinations are being distributed, the CDC recommends everyone wear a mask, wait at least six apart and wash hands often. For additional information about the tools please visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish).
NCDHHS has Launched an Online Tool
NCDHHS launched an online tool to help North Carolinians know when they will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Find My Vaccine Group will ask individuals questions to determine their vaccination group. Individuals can sign-up to receive an alert when the vaccine is available for their group. For further information please visit the NCDHHS article.
NCDHHS COVID-19 Vaccine Update January 15,2021
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen stated their top priority is helping health departments, hospitals and other health care agencies vaccinate individuals as quickly and safely as possible throughout state. NCDHHS is working with community officials to create vaccination events over the next few weeks.
Important vaccination information to remember:
- Vaccination rates are increasing
- Individuals must be eligible to receive the vaccine
- Only individuals 65+ and health care workers are eligible for vaccination at this time
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccination please visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/latest-updates.
- NC Gov. Roy Cooper extended the modified Stay at Home Order as COVID-19 positive rates continue to increase. Learn more
- NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen issued a Secretarial Directive, asking North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings with other households. Read the Secretarial Directive.
NC DHHS Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
Based on new federal recommendations issued last week by the CDC Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has updated and simplified the vaccine prioritization plan.
North Carolina’s updated phases include:
- Current Phase – Phase 1a: Health care workers fighting COVID-19 & Long-Term Care staff and residents
- Phase 1b (to begin in early January): Adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers
- Phase 2: Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of severe illness
- Phase 3: Students
- Phase 4: Everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination
Currently, there is not enough vaccine for everyone to be vaccinated at the same time. NCDHHS will open the next phase of vaccinations (1b) in groups, starting only with persons above the age of 75 in order to best manage vaccine dose availability. To see all the groups for Phases 1b and Phase 2, click here.
In the coming days, more information on how North Carolinians over age 75 will access vaccinations beginning in early January will be shared.
More detailed information can be found at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccines
On Dec. 14, North Carolina health facilities began administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working with public and private partners to guide the planning and distribution of the vaccine.
It will be some time before the vaccine is widely available to everyone. Those most at risk, such as health care workers and long-term care residents and staff, will get it first. Learn more about vaccine distribution.
The COVID-19 vaccine is another tool to protect our communities from COVID-19. Until everyone has their shot at fighting COVID-19, continue to practice the 3Ws and continue to visit
Oct. 1, 2020: NCDHHS announced a new $7 million partnership to address unmet health needs of historically marginalized communities. Learn more
Sept. 30, 2020: Executive Order 169 announces the cautious lifting of certain restrictions while maintaining other restrictions as North Carolina moves to Phase 3 on Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. and continue for three weeks through Oct. 23. Learn more
Sept. 28, 2020: NCDHHS issued a Secretarial Order updating visitation guidelines for nursing homes to allow indoor visitation. Learn more
Sept. 25, 2020: NCDHHS announced that it would provide additional benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to help families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced-priced meals at school has been impacted by remote learning this fall due to COVID-19. Learn more
Sept. 22, 2020: NCDHHS launches SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification App. The app will help North Carolinians slow the spread of the virus by alerting them when they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It is completely anonymous and does not collect, store or share personal information or location data. Learn more
Sept. 17, 2020: NC Gov. Roy Cooper announced today that beginning on Oct. 5, public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5) Learn more
Sept. 14, 2020: North Carolina citizens are urged to protect themselves, their families and others by getting vaccinated against influenza. Learn more
Sept. 4, 2020: Executive Order 163 outlines Phase 2.5 mass gathering limits.
Sept. 2, 2020: NCDHHS announces the launch of the NC Medicaid Optional COVID-19 Testing program, which will reimburse Medicaid providers for costs associated with COVID-19 testing of people without insurance. Learn more
Sept. 1, 2020: Governor Roy Cooper today announced that after a summer of hard work to slow the spread of COVID-19, North Carolina will take a modest step forward move into Phase 2.5 starting this Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. Learn more
- Read Executive Order 163
Aug. 17, 2020: NCDHHS expanded the Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) to serve North Carolina’s teachers, school personnel and their families. Learn more
Aug. 5, 2020: Governor Roy Cooper today announced that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another 5 weeks as students and staff return to schools, colleges and universities and the state doubles down on efforts to decrease COVID-19 numbers. Learn more
August 3, 2020:
- NCDHHS is seeking regional partner organizations to administer an innovative new program to support individuals in targeted counties who need supports like food and transportation to successfully quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19. Applications are due by August 7, 2020. Learn more
- NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities – African American Community Engagement grants will be used to fund organizations to build awareness and support for DHHS prevention, testing, contact tracing, and isolation supports initiatives in regions of the state disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Applications are due by August 14. Download the Request for Application
July 16, 2020: Executive Order 151 extends Executive Order 141’s Safer At Home Phase 2 measures until at least August 7, 2020.
June 24, 2020: Gov. Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks (through July 17). Executive Order 147 is effective on Friday, June 26, at 5 p.m. Read the press release and frequently asked questions bout the Executive Order and mandatory face coverings. Click here for NCDHHS guidance on face coverings.
March 31, 2020: Governor Roy Cooper announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Today’s Order applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days. The Order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment. Learn more
March 30, 2020: To help families access food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is temporarily increasing benefits for March 2020 and April 2020 to current Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recipients in North Carolina. NCDHHS received federal authority to implement the program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 27. Learn more
March 27, 2020: In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Roy Cooper has issued a statewide Stay at Home order for North Carolina. The Stay At Home order begins Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. and continuing until April 29, 2020. It directs people to stay at home except under certain conditions, such as doing essential work, obtaining necessary supplies and taking care of others. The Executive Order and Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the NC DHHS website.
Partners Health Management is operating as close to normal during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our employees are working in remote locations and holding meetings online as needed. We want to remind you that we are in this with you.
Our Access to Care Line our clinicians are available to help you: 1-888-235-HOPE (4673) Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You may also contact our Member Engagement Department at: memberquestions@partnersbhm.org or 704-884-2729.
Partners has established an internal team to closely monitor the current situation with COVID-19. We encourage you to stay informed and follow all necessary precautions to avoid getting sick or to spread the virus. Check out the links below for steps you can take to stay healthy or, if you are sick, to ensure you don’t infect others.
Some steps you can take now to stay healthy include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
- Avoid exposure to others who are sick
- Stay home when you are ill
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
You can learn more about the virus and ways to protect yourself and others at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.
NC DHHS has and continues to develop resources to assist all North Carolinians. Visit www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus for reliable, up-to-date information.
Included on this page is helpful information for:
- Individuals, families and communities
- Businesses and employers
- Health care professionals
- Colleges, schools and child care providers
- Long-term care facilities
There is also information about what we all can do to combat fear and anxiety about COVID-19.
Stay prepared by getting the latest information directly from reliable sources. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you share it.
Learn the facts about COVID-19
Plan, prepare, and respond to Coronavirus
Latest North Carolina Updates