Employees staffing Wake County’s dedicated COVID-19 hotline fielded their 20,000th call today. The call center has been up and running for the past 164 days, receiving about 124 calls per day on average.

“We’re used to marking COVID-19 milestones—whether it be cases, tests or hospitalizations. Today, we reached a milestone that I am excited to recognize,” said Wake County Manager David Ellis. “When residents call the COVID-19 hotline, they’re often nervous or worried. The voice on the other end of the line can provide the answers and resources they need during these uncertain times.”

While staffing varies depending on the need, the call center typically employs eight to 20 people—all seated at least six feet apart in the Waverly F. Akins Wake County Office Building. The call center was initially staffed 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Now, employees work 10 hours a day Monday through Saturday.

Call takers represent departments across Wake County—from libraries and parks to Human Services and Emergency Management.

“I continue to be inspired every day by how Wake County employees have rallied together in response to COVID-19,” Ellis said. “This milestone is yet another example of the important work they are doing.”

Staying Updated
Wake County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19. You can visit our multilingual COVID-19 webpage, which has a set of frequently asked questions to educate residents, a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes, as well as contact information for people to use to ask specific questions.

The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.