Category: Community Messages Page 9 of 19

The following email was sent to University staff members whose DukeCards will be deactivated daily at midnight until they complete symptom monitoring each day. Certain groups have been excluded, including staff with the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, Duke University Police, and staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Dear Duke University Staff Member,

Tracking COVID-19 symptoms remains a critical step to limiting the spread of the virus and keeping our community safe. As you know, University staff who wish to gain access to Duke facilities are required to complete the daily symptom survey before arriving on-site. At midnight each day, DukeCard access will reset to an inactive status, prohibiting access to buildings. In order to re-activate access, you must complete the daily symptom monitoring. Once the survey is completed, access should be restored within seconds (up to a minute).

When to complete symptom monitoring survey: Starting Tuesday, Dec. 15, you will need to complete symptom monitoring each day before your DukeCard will be activated to access Duke facilities. Your DukeCard will return to inactive status at midnight each day. Once symptom monitoring is complete, access will be restored for the day.

Accessing the symptom monitoring survey: The SymMon mobile app is the preferred and easiest way to record symptoms and is available for free through the Apple app store or Google Play. For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the survey visit the Return to Duke website. Symptoms can also be recorded using the RedCAP system through a web browser or through a phone-based automated voice response system.

Getting notifications: Setup the in-app alert to receive daily notifications. Click on the gear icon in the lower right-hand corner of the SymMon app. Turn on the Symptom Monitoring Reminders by tapping the toggle switch. For more information about app features, watch the Symptom Monitoring app tutorial video.

Troubleshooting: You can check the status of your DukeCard. A green access status indicates door access is working. If you run into difficulty with the app or DukeCard access, contact the OIT Service Desk at 919-684-2200.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Student Conduct Updates, Dec 6, 2020

By Kristen Brown

On December 6, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Students

The message is being sent to all Duke undergraduate students.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Dear undergraduate students,

We hope you are healthy, safe, and well, and are enjoying Winter Break so far, wherever you may be. We are writing with the last conduct update of the fall semester.

First, the big picture: Duke students and organizations successfully adapted to the COVID policies and expectations for fall semester. The Office of Student Conduct, the SpeakUp line, and the Housing and Residential Life teams received over 1,300 student conduct reports, but the vast majority of these reports concerned minor infractions of our COVID policies. Over 500 incidents were resolved through warnings or educational conversations and our recidivism rate—in which students or groups were involved in more than one alleged violation—was miniscule. Our undergraduate student community made countless decisions each day which led to our cumulative success in protecting the health and wellbeing of our community. Thank you!

COMPLIANCE AND CONDUCT UPDATES

As we have noted in previous messages, the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) conducts a thorough review of all allegations against students and organizations. If students are found responsible, sanctions depend on the severity of the violations and students’ prior disciplinary history. Since August 7, OSC has taken the following actions:

517 — Students referred for educational interventions for less severe infractions of the Duke Compact — these outcomes are not part of a student’s disciplinary record.
190 — Individual sanctions implemented by either the Office of Student Conduct or Housing and Residence Life. These actions may become a part of the student’s conduct record and in some cases reportable to graduate schools, study away programs, employers, and other university programs in which a student’s disciplinary record may be a factor in participation.
5 — Campus organizations placed on interim suspension.
27 — Administrative Action Hearings held for flagrant violations of COVID policy expectations and the Duke Compact. Flagrant violations include: hosting gatherings, failing to follow quarantine and isolation protocols to protect fellow students, and repeated violations of COVID expectations.
3 — Student Conduct Board hearings which have resulted in suspension of one semester or more, along with other varying sanctions. In these cases, some students will be unable to enroll (remotely or in person) in the spring semester.

COVID REMINDERS

COVID rates in Durham and in so many other places are as high as they’ve been at any time during the pandemic, and we must all continue to do our part to help prevent spread in our communities. Over break, please continue to observe all the safety guidelines you’ve become accustomed to this fall—wear a mask, wash your hands often, practice physical distancing, limit close contacts. Find more guidance on safer holiday breaks.

COVID doesn’t take holidays, and neither should you.

We hope that you and your families and friends continue to be safe and well. Have a restful and restorative break.

Thank you and go Duke,

Gary G. Bennett
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Mary Pat McMahon
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Information for the Duke Community

By Paul Grantham

On December 4, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff

Dear Duke Health and Duke University colleagues and staff:

The FDA is planning to review the interim safety and efficacy data for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 10th and the Moderna vaccine on December 17th as part of the process to consider COVID-19 vaccines for an emergency use authorization. We anticipate that the FDA could move quickly so we are preparing for an expected early shipment of the Pfizer vaccine to Duke, along with final guidance from the FDA, later this month.

Based on guidelines developed by the state, Duke healthcare workers who are most likely to be exposed to COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2) in the course of fulfilling their job responsibilities will be among the first group eligible to receive a vaccine. This includes employees in both clinical and research areas.

Read the full message that was sent to all Duke Health and Duke University faculty and staff on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.

Mask Up: Now a State Requirement

By Paul Grantham

On November 24, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, For Students

The following message was sent to all university students, faculty and staff on Nov. 24, 2020.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Duke has for many months required a mask or face covering in all outdoor settings where social distancing measures cannot be maintained and at all times in shared spaces indoors.

Now it’s required across the state at all times.

A new executive order issued by Governor Cooper requires face covering be worn indoors and outdoors across the state. Law enforcement officers may now cite individuals who fail to wear face coverings, as well as businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the requirement.

The order includes the use of face coverings in outdoor areas where it is not possible to consistently be physically distant by more than six feet, including when exercising outdoors or indoors with non-household members.

On Duke property, this includes all indoor recreational facilities, as well as outdoor areas such as the Al Buehler and East Campus trails, the Duke golf course, Duke Forest, and other areas where people congregate. Student-athletes are excluded from the requirement while playing or practicing.

The order, which remains in effect through Dec. 11, 2020, was issued to help address the rapid increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations in North Carolina. A number of counties across the state are seeing health care systems strained by the increase in COVID cases and infection rates are rising in virtually every county.

Duke has been fortunate and successful this semester thanks to the hard work and vigilance of our students, faculty and staff. We strongly encourage you to apply the same vigilance as you celebrate the Thanksgiving and the winter holidays so we can, once again, be Duke United.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Testing Update: November 14 – 20, 2020

By Kristen Brown

On November 23, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, Testing & Reporting

In the last full week of the Fall semester, Duke University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing program received results from 15,532 tests administered to students and faculty/staff from November 14-20, 2020. In total, there were 24 positive results – five undergraduate students, eight graduate/professional students, and eleven faculty/staff, six of whom have been working remotely and have not been on campus. The positivity rate was 0.15 percent.

Duke’s rigorous testing and public health protocols were cited in a recent CDC publication and have been widely noted in the media as a model for keeping infections on campus low. In addition to adhering to the dynamic testing protocols, Duke students, faculty, and staff upheld the Duke Compact and followed public health guidelines to keep the campus safe.

Since the start of the program on Aug. 2, Duke has completed 178,084 tests.

The announcement of testing results is posted to Duke Today.

Testing data is also available on our Testing Tracker.

With the conclusion of the fall semester, this will be the last full testing report for 2020.

Reopening Plans for Spring

By Kristen Brown

On November 21, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff

This email was sent to all Duke University faculty and staff on Saturday, November 21, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As we come to the end of a successful fall semester of teaching, learning and research, we are making plans for the spring semester that will be based on the latest projections for the spread of COVID-19, ongoing mitigation strategies and the eventual distribution of a vaccine

Unfortunately, we should expect that the current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations will continue for the next several months and will place greater stress on our community and health care system. And while there is very optimistic news about vaccines, we also know they will not be widely available to faculty, staff and students until late spring or early summer 2021.

As a result, most university staff should continue to work remotely through the spring semester unless you are specifically designated to return to Duke facilities. Having fewer people on-site continues to be the best way to reduce the potential spread of this virus and protect our campus and community.

All students who return for the spring semester in January will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival, as was the case in the fall. We will then resume surveillance testing of students and those faculty and staff working in Duke facilities. Anyone who is cleared to work in Duke facilities must continue to complete daily symptom monitoring, wear a mask, and practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet, where possible. Additional supplies of reusable cloth face masks will be distributed through the Return to the Workforce Coordinators for each school and department in January 2021.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping Duke respond to the unique challenges from the pandemic. We hope you enjoy a much deserved and needed break during the upcoming holidays.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Jennifer Francis,
Executive Vice Provost

Message on COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Distribution for the Duke Community

By Paul Grantham

On November 20, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, For Students

In anticipation of FDA emergency use authorization, Duke is preparing to participate in an efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine in close coordination with NC DHHS and local health departments.

The vaccine will be offered in a CDC-defined phased approach that prioritizes healthcare workers who are most likely to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus while providing care to patients – including staff within Duke’s clinical and research laboratories.

For details, view the full message posted on Duke Today.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing for Faculty and Staff

By Kristen Brown

On November 19, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, Testing & Reporting

This email was sent to all Duke faculty and staff on Thursday, November 19

Dear Colleague,

Thanksgiving is only one week away, and we want to urge all of our faculty and staff members to reduce the risk of spreading infection while celebrating the holiday. There are many ways to reduce your chance of getting sick or sharing this virus with your loved ones and others in the community. The CDC website has several resources available to help you make a safe plan today.

Given the upcoming holiday, several faculty and staff have requested more information about available asymptomatic testing services. Please keep in mind that testing alone cannot prevent the spread of infection, and even if you test negative for COVID-19, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. It is possible to receive a negative COVID-19 test result if the sample was collected early in your infection and then test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after your test. If that happens, the infection could be spread to others if you are not diligent about physical distancing, wearing a face mask and performing hand hygiene.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers numerous no-cost community testing events for you and your family members. There are multiple events being held in counties across the state this weekend. Local health departments, pharmacies and other locations also provide convenient access to testing. You can find the service closest to you through the NCDHHS test site finder. In some instances, there may be fees for these services.

Duke faculty and staff members can also call the Duke COVID-19 Hotline (919-385-0429, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and select the option for asymptomatic testing. To help reduce the risk of spreading infection, we are now offering no-cost asymptomatic testing for Duke University, Duke University Health System and PDC faculty and staff. Appointments must be scheduled in advance – walking up to a Duke Health COVID-19 testing tent to request testing is not permitted. You should anticipate receiving a result within 48 hours. We also encourage you to ensure your MyChart is active so you can receive your test result as soon as it is processed. If you are interested in receiving this service, we encourage you to schedule your appointment for this weekend to ensure you have your result before the holiday.

This is a service with limited capacity which we plan to provide for our faculty and staff as long as our supplies and resources allow. If you would like to request asymptomatic testing for a family member, there will be a fee associated for this service.

Duke Health is experiencing a high demand for COVID-19 testing before the Thanksgiving holiday. It will take time for these tests to be processed and results communicated. This week alone, Duke Health has already received more than 1,800 calls a day to its COVID-19 hotline. If you are interested in any of these testing services, we encourage you to get tested as early as possible and to strictly isolate before traveling or gathering with others.

If your test for COVID-19 is positive, call the Duke COVID-19 Hotline (919-385-0429, option 1 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) within one hour of receiving your result to notify our Employee Health team, regardless of where you receive your testing service. As always, please call the Duke COVID-19 Hotline if you are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms.

Testing is only a single snapshot in time of your infectious status. It is one strategy to prevent the spread of infection. We encourage you to continue practicing your three W’s even if you receive a negative test result – wear a mask over your nose and mouth; wait six feet apart to avoid close contact; wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to ensure your safety and the safety of your friends, family and community.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Carol Epling, MD, MSPH
Director, Employee Occupational Health and Wellness

Testing Update: November 7 – 13, 2020

By Kristen Brown

On November 16, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, Testing & Reporting

Duke University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing program received results from 16,146 tests administered to students and faculty/staff from November 7 – 13, 2020. In total, there were 30 positive results – eight undergraduate students, three graduate/professional students, and nineteen faculty/staff, seven of whom have been working remotely and have not been on campus. The positivity rate was 0.19 percent.

Since the start of the program on Aug. 2, Duke has completed 162,552 tests.

The announcement of testing results is posted to Duke Today.

Testing data is also available on our Testing Tracker, which is updated each Monday.

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Duke Community

By Paul Grantham

On November 12, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, For Students

The Duke COVID-19 Vaccination Work Group distributed a message to faculty, staff and students about plans for distribution of vaccines when available.

While we are still some time away from FDA approval, planning at Duke is already underway for how we will distribute the vaccine:

Our Duke experts will review all available safety and efficacy data for any approved vaccine to ensure the science supports its broad use.
Based on CDC guidelines, vaccines will be offered in a phased approach that prioritizes healthcare workers who are most likely to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus while providing care to our patients, as well as long-term care workers and caregivers.
We are coordinating with the NC DHHS to help ensure that all North Carolinians have equitable access to vaccines, and that vaccine planning and distribution is inclusive.

A full version of the message is available on Duke Today.