Category: Duke University Page 2 of 24

Duke is now offering second booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible faculty, staff and students over the age of 50, as well as anyone who is considered severely immunocompromised to increase their protection against severe disease.

Following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week, Duke will offer the Pfizer vaccine as a second booster shot for those who have had their first booster shot at least four months ago. The second booster shot is not currently required for Duke students, faculty or staff, but it is offered as an option for those who are eligible.

Second booster shots are available by appointment or walk-in at the Duke Medical Pavilion in Conference Room 2w91, Duke Clinic 1J, Duke Regional Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Duke COVID Vaccine website. Eligible faculty, staff and students are also encouraged to consider vaccination options at local pharmacies or their healthcare provider.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep yourself, your loved ones and the Duke community safe.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration, Duke University

Carol Epling, MD, MSPH
Assistant Professor in Family Medicine and Community Health

Gail Shulby, RN, MA, CPP
Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice President, Duke Health

Cameron R. Wolfe, MBBS (Hons), MPH, FIDSA
Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Duke Health

Co-Leaders of the COVID-19 Vaccination Planning Work Group

Indoor Mask Requirement Lifted in Most Duke University Facilities

By Paul Grantham

On March 4, 2022

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, For Students, For Visitors to Campus

March 4, 2022

Students, Faculty and Staff,

The City and County of Durham will end the indoor masking mandate on Monday, March 7, as will Orange County. Wake County ended its indoor masking mandate on February 25. As a result, and after reviewing CDC guidance and consulting with our infectious disease experts, Duke University will also revise its indoor masking requirements.

As of Monday, March 7, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks inside most campus and leased facilities. However, masks will continue to be required for all individuals in the following locations on the Duke University campus unless otherwise indicated:

In-person classes
Duke buses and vans
Clinical and patient care areas*

*Note: Easing of mask requirements does not apply to Duke University Health System hospitals, clinics, procedural centers and PDC clinics. Further communication regarding changes in mask requirements will come directly from DUHS and PDC leadership and will be in accordance with CDC health care recommendations.

Masks may still be required in other locations (such as the Lemur Center) based on specific circumstances, so we encourage students, employees and visitors to carry a mask and be prepared to wear it if needed. Individuals who are unvaccinated are still required to wear a mask in all indoor settings. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should wear a mask, not report to work or attend classes, and get tested as soon as possible.
Over the next several weeks, we will continue to evaluate campus and local conditions to determine if further changes need to be made in our masking policies.

This transition recognizes that COVID-19 will be with us in some form, but the spread and severity can now be managed through vaccinations and medical treatment. As a result of our high vaccination rates, frequent testing and care and concern for each other, we have not seen any cases of serious illness among students, and very few among employees since the emergence of the Omicron variant.

After two years of navigating the pandemic, we recognize this change may feel uncomfortable for some, and we ask you to be respectful of those who prefer to continue wearing masks, particularly for those who have underlying high-risk medical conditions or live with those who do. It took time for us to adjust to life in a pandemic, and it will take time as we adjust to living with COVID as the pandemic eases. But this is another positive step toward that future.

We are deeply grateful for your engagement and compliance with masking and other safety measures to help protect each other throughout the pandemic. We’re sure this change is welcome news for many and expect we’ll see a lot more smiles around campus in the days ahead.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Sally Kornbluth, Ph.D.
Provost and Jo Rae Wright University Professor

This message was sent to all University students, faculty and staff.

Campus COVID-19 Testing Before and After Spring Break

By Paul Grantham

On February 23, 2022

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

Feb. 23, 2022

Students, Faculty and Staff,

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we have relied on Duke’s faculty experts in infectious disease and public health to help with the design and implementation of our protocols and procedures. Based upon their recommendations and the recent positive trends in our testing results, Duke will make the following changes to our COVID-19 testing protocols in the coming weeks.

Spring Break Travel/Exit Testing:

Students and others who need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel can get a PCR test next week at the Bryan Center. Tests will be available from Monday, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please inform the staff at the test site that you need an “exit test” rather than a surveillance test. A link to the test results will be sent by email or text within 24 hours.

Surveillance Testing:

Week of March 7: Limited surveillance testing will be available during the week of March 7 for those who remain on campus or are required to test weekly. Visit the Duke United website for locations and hours of operation.

Week of March 14: Following Spring Break, Duke will resume a normal surveillance testing schedule for one week for all eligible students, as well as faculty and staff. Visit the Duke United website for locations and hours of operation.

Week of March 21: Required surveillance testing for asymptomatic vaccinated students will end. Surveillance testing will continue at a limited number of sites across campus for unvaccinated students, staff and faculty who are required to test each week, as well as those who wish to do so voluntarily.

Duke launched an innovative approach for surveillance testing in August 2020 as a way to quickly identify and limit COVID-19 transmission on campus. Since then, more than 1.2 million COVID-19 tests have been administered and processed by the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. This extraordinary effort allowed Duke to quickly return to a residential experience and in-person instruction, and protected the health and safety of our community.

While the program has served us well, it is now time to adapt to the changing landscape, just as we did with prior modifications to isolation and contract tracing. This change is being made after consultation with Duke’s infectious disease experts and is based on several factors, including our high vaccination rate and the decline in positive cases in recent weeks.

Symptomatic Testing:

Testing will remain available through either Student Health or Employee Occupational Health & Wellness for those experiencing COVID symptoms. For more information, visit the Duke United website.

We are deeply grateful for the efforts of so many during the last two years to help us manage the constant and evolving challenges of this pandemic. We have learned much and leaned on each other often. The resilience, ingenuity, and commitment each member of this community has displayed reminds us of what makes Duke so special. We are not out of the pandemic yet, but we are one step closer to reclaiming the promise of what a post-pandemic life can be.

Until then, please continue to use appropriate caution when gathering with others, and remember that face masks are still required indoors in Durham and within all Duke owned and leased facilities. Thank you.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

This message was distributed to all Duke University students, faculty and staff.

Extending deadline for required booster shots (Students)

By Paul Grantham

On January 11, 2022

In Duke University, For Students

The message is being sent to all Duke undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Dear students,

Duke University will extend the deadline for students to receive the booster shot due to a change in the eligibility criteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the eligibility criteria for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from six month to five months after receiving a second dose. This change leaves little time for those who are newly eligible after five months to get their booster shot by the Feb. 1 deadline.

As a result, all Duke students, faculty, and staff will now be required to get a booster shot by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, or within 28 days of their eligibility under CDC and state guidelines, whichever date is later.

Please note that due to the infectiousness of the Omicron variant, we encourage all students to get the booster as soon as they are eligible.

Still need your booster?
If you have not yet received one, schedule your booster by calling Student Health at 919-681-9355, Option 1, or schedule your booster online. Booster vaccinations are also conveniently available in the community at local pharmacies, supermarkets and many other locations listed on the Durham County Department of Public Health website or NC DHHS directory.

Already received your booster?
All students must provide proof of receiving the COVID booster shot as soon as they are eligible under CDC and state guidelines. If you received your booster outside of Duke, be sure to submit your vaccination documentation online (scroll down to “outside vaccination reporting”). If you received your COVID booster at one of Duke’s on-campus locations, Student Health already has your vaccination record.

Exemptions
If you have already submitted and received a COVID-19 vaccine exemption, you do not need to reapply for an exemption for the booster at this time. Questions about medical/religious exemptions for students can be directed to immunizations@duke.edu.

Safe Practices
In addition to receiving your COVID-19 booster vaccination, it is crucial to continue to practice safe behaviors to keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. Wear a mask at all times in Duke owned and leased facilities. Practice good hand hygiene. Maintain a safe distance from others, especially when removing your mask to eat or drink.

Getting the booster can help protect you, your friends, and the Duke community, as well as ensure that our hospital and clinical resources are available to support the community during a time of urgent need. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Go Duke,

John Vaughn, M.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Student Health Services

John Blackshear
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Extending Deadline for Required Booster Shots (Faculty & Staff)

By Paul Grantham

On January 10, 2022

In Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff

January 10, 2022

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Duke University will extend the deadline for faculty and staff to receive the booster shot due to a change in the eligibility criteria.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the eligibility criteria for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from six month to five months after receiving a second dose. This change leaves little time for those who are newly eligible after five months to get their booster shot by the Feb. 1 deadline. As a result, all faculty and staff will be required to get a booster shot by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, or within 28 days of their eligibility under CDC and state guidelines, whichever date is later.

Please note that due to the infectiousness of the Omicron variant, we encourage all faculty and staff members to get the booster as soon as they are eligible.

Next week, school and department leaders will begin receiving weekly reports for eligible faculty and staff who have not yet received their booster shots.

Locations

The booster shot is a condition of employment for all faculty and staff of Duke University, regardless of work location. For booster scheduling options at Duke facilities, visit the Duke COVID Vaccine website. In the community, booster vaccinations are conveniently available at local pharmacies, supermarkets and many other locations listed on the Durham County Department of Public Health website or NC DHHS directory.

Exemptions

If a faculty or staff member has already submitted and received a COVID-19 exemption, they do not need to reapply for an exemption for the booster at this time.

Submission of Booster Documentation

If you received your booster through Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW), you do not need to provide additional documentation. If you received the booster in the community (such as a retail pharmacy or a Duke patient clinic), you will need to submit your vaccination documentation using the Duke VaxTrax online system.

Safe Practices

In addition to receiving your COVID-19 booster vaccination, it is crucial to continue to practice safe behaviors to keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. Wear a mask at all times in Duke owned and leased facilities. Practice good hand hygiene. Maintain a safe distance from others, especially when removing your mask to eat or drink.

Getting the booster can help protect you, your friends, and your colleagues, as well as ensure that our hospital and clinical resources are available to support the community during a time of urgent need. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

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

FOR FACULTY re: Dec. 31 adjustments to spring semester

By Paul Grantham

On December 31, 2021

In Duke University, For Faculty

December 31, 2021

Dear faculty colleagues,

You will have received the announcement of additional adjustments we are instituting for the beginning of the Spring semester, chief among them the change to remote-only instruction until January 18.

Given the extraordinarily rapid spread of the Omicron variant, we anticipate a significant wave of COVID infections within the Duke community as students return after the holidays. Although the majority of Omicron cases nationally appear to be mild for those who are fully vaccinated, we must prepare for operational disruptions related to the mandatory isolation and/or caregiving responsibilities of many members of our community.

We also recognize that for many instructors, teaching in person while also trying to accommodate significant numbers of students in isolation, as has occurred during several periods of the pandemic, is a considerable challenge. In order to avoid the added complexities of hybrid teaching approaches whenever possible – and to ensure that all students have been thoroughly screened for COVID before attending classes in person – we will require all classes to be delivered remotely until January 18.

Please note that Duke Learning Innovation provides many resources to support instructors shifting to remote learning, including twice-daily online open office hours January 3-7 and help via email at learninginnovation@duke.edu.

Finally, I thank you for your continued commitment to our public health protocols and urge you to get your booster shot without delay if you have not already done so. Voluntary surveillance testing will again be available for vaccinated faculty and staff during the Spring semester; note that we do expect large numbers of students at testing centers for required entry testing in early January.

We will keep you apprised of emerging information as we strive to protect the health of our campus and community members and ensure continuity of campus operations.

With best wishes,

Sally

Sally Kornbluth, Ph.D.
Provost and Jo Rae Wright University Professor

This message has been sent to all Duke University faculty.

Dec. 31 Update to Plans for Start of Spring Semester

By Paul Grantham

On December 31, 2021

In Duke University, For Staff, For Students

December 31, 2021

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

We have all watched with great concern the extraordinarily rapid spread of the Omicron variant in our communities and around the world. On Thursday, the state of North Carolina reported the highest daily number of new COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, representing a 60% increase over the previous one-day record. We have also observed an incredibly high number of positive cases across our workforce this week, and increasing numbers among students who are already here in Durham.

Duke’s infectious disease and public health experts have advised us to anticipate that a large number of students will test positive during campus entry testing next week, requiring them to isolate in accordance with the new CDC guidelines. We also anticipate that positive test results, isolation periods and caregiving responsibilities affecting our faculty and staff will have an impact on campus operations and services as the semester begins.

This is a disappointing reality that requires us to once again revise our plans for the beginning of Spring semester in order to protect the health of our campus and community and to ensure the continuity of campus operations. These changes include:

All undergraduate, graduate, and professional school classes will now be remote until Tuesday, January 18 instead of January 10 as earlier announced. During this time, no hybrid or in-person classes will be permitted.

Residence halls will open as planned on January 2. However, on-campus residential students are strongly encouraged to delay their return to campus to a time between January 3 and January 18, if possible. This will give us the ability to effectively and safely manage what is likely to be a surge of students and other members of the Duke community testing positive.

All students (undergraduate, graduate and professional) must still comply with re-entry and surveillance testing requirements, as previously outlined, whenever they return to campus.

Students who reside on campus and who test positive will isolate in their residence hall rooms. The university’s dedicated isolation space will be reserved for on-campus students with pre-existing medical conditions whose assignment to isolation space is approved by Student Health.

Priority for early (January 3-5) entry testing will be given to graduate and professional students to facilitate their return to clinical- and lab-based studies and research.

All on-campus dining will be grab-and-go until January 18; no indoor dining will be permitted during this time.

All Duke facilities will remain open. Events and activities may continue as originally scheduled at the discretion of the sponsoring department or unit.

These plans are subject to change should further adjustments be warranted in response to campus, local and national conditions. As a reminder, all Duke students and employees must get the COVID booster shot and observe Duke and Durham policies for wearing masks in indoor public spaces.

This is an uncertain time for all of us. We have to make decisions with the best information we have, and that sometime means quick and potentially disruptive changes. Through it all we are most appreciative of your commitment to safeguarding the health of our students and colleagues, their families, and the larger Durham community, as we navigate yet another unwelcome development in this global pandemic.

For the past two years, the Duke community has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, determination, and a collaborative spirit in the face of many unexpected challenges. We are confident that working together, as a Duke United, we will overcome this latest challenge and have a successful Spring semester.

Sincerely,

Sally Kornbluth
Provost

Jennifer Francis
Executive Vice Provost

Kyle Cavanaugh
Vice President for Administration

Mary Pat McMahon
Vice President/Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Gary Bennett
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

This message is being sent to all Duke University students, faculty and staff.

Additional information for undergraduates: Updated Guidance for the Start of the Spring Semester

By Paul Grantham

On December 30, 2021

In Duke University, For Students

Dear students,

Please be sure to carefully read the University’s most recent update on Spring semester reopening. It includes updated guidance that reflects the CDC’s new isolation protocols, and provides information around what to do if you cannot schedule a PCR test during the 48-hour period in advance of your arrival in Durham.

We know there are shortages in PCR testing availability in some areas. If you are in a location where you can arrange for a test during the 48-hour period in advance of your arrival in Durham, please still do so. If you cannot schedule a PCR test, you can instead sequester through two rounds of entry/surveillance testing. The attestation for undergraduates, which you will receive via email tomorrow, will ask you to confirm that you had a PCR test before returning to Durham and will follow sequester guidance after your re-entry test, OR that you you agree to sequester until you have had a re-entry test at Duke and a second surveillance test administered 48 hours later.

Here are a few additional points to consider as you plan your return to campus:

We continue to plan to have three days of virtual instruction Wednesday-Friday, January 5-7th.
Residence halls will open at noon on January 2 , and entry testing will now be available starting Sunday, January 2nd from 4:00-8:00 PM in the Bryan CenterWe have expanded entry testing for students who want to delay their return to Durham to the weekend of January 8-9.
Surveillance/entry testing will be available Saturday, January 8th and Sunday January 9th from 1pm to 5pm at several on campus locations. Updated information will be available at the Duke United page.
As a reminder, sequestering means you will stay in your on-campus housing or off-campus residence until you complete re-entry protocols listed above. Please plan ahead for this. During a sequester, you can leave your apartment to exercise, get food, or attend to other essential health and safety activities, but the objective is that you limit in-person contact until it’s determined that you’re not contagious and spreading COVID to others (and others to you). Doing this helps the Duke community manage the influx of arriving students and mitigate any transmission associated with a return to operations. Our university systems—health providers, testing processes and others—need your cooperation here.
Off campus undergraduates should test on Tuesday, January 4 if they are in Durham by that date. If not, they should test on the date they return to Durham. If sites are closed at that time, they should test the following day.

We know that Omicron has upended many plans, and we know that the Duke community can once again come together to respond to this moment to ensure a pathway towards an in-person university experience this spring. Thank you for doing your part.

Sincerely,

Duke Student Affairs

Resources for students

STUDENT HEALTH: If you feel sick, you should call Student Health during business hours at 919-681-9355 and choose option 2 to speak to a triage nurse if you are experiencing any symptoms or have any concerns. After hours, students should call 919-681-9355 and follow the prompts to speak to a nurse.

Choose Option 1 for COVID Hotline related concerns.
Choose Option 2 or remain on the line for other health concerns.
Medical emergencies should call 9-1-1

DUKEREACH: DukeReach will help you identify support services from among the variety of resources across campus or in your local community. You can contact DukeReach at 919-681-2455 or by emailing dukereach@duke.edu.

HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE: Have questions about on-campus housing or move-in? Email housing@duke.edu.

Updated Guidance for the Start of the Spring Semester

By Paul Grantham

On December 29, 2021

In Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff, For Students, Testing & Reporting

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

During the last month, we have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases as a result of the Omicron variant that has set new records on campus, in North Carolina and across the country. In order to begin and continue normal operations during the Spring semester, we once again need your help to protect the Duke community.

Isolation Guidelines:

Based on new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Duke is updating its isolation protocols for those who test positive for COVID-19.

Vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic (i.e. no symptoms) can end isolation five days after testing positive once cleared by Employee Health or Student Health and must then wear a well-fitting mask for the next five days when around others.
Symptomatic and all unvaccinated individuals must continue to isolate for 10 days to protect others who could become infected. Exceptions may be made for essential healthcare staff and other personnel needed to address critical needs, but those individuals will be required to follow additional masking protocols prescribed by Employee Health.

According to the CDC, this change in protocol is supported by data demonstrating that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.

These changes in the Duke policy will help us manage an expected spike in individuals testing positive due to Omicron and holiday travel. We’ve already seen a significant increase in positive tests among staff and students who have been on campus during the winter break. If these rates continue when the majority of students return to campus next week, we may face staffing shortages in critical operating areas and will likely exceed available dedicated isolation space for residential students, requiring them to isolation within their residence hall rooms instead.

What You Can Do Now

Please continue to practice safety protocols such as masking while indoors, avoiding large unmasked gatherings, and washing your hands frequently. In addition, please take the following steps:

If you have not already, please get your booster shot before returning to campus. This is the best protection against the Omicron variant and will be required for all students and employees.
Students should get tested 48 hours before returning to campus. If you test positive, please isolate at home until you have met the isolation criteria of your local health authority before returning to campus. (Note: Any student who cannot test before returning should sequester until after completing two rounds of surveillance testing on campus.)
After returning to campus, students should take an entry (surveillance) test administered by Duke as directed and then sequester in their on- or off-campus residence until they receive notification via email that their sequester can end.
Unvaccinated faculty and staff must resume surveillance testing and daily symptom monitoring the week of January 3.
If you develop any symptoms, do not come to campus. Call your health care provider to arrange for a test.

As we close out what has been an extraordinary year, we want to acknowledge the many efforts and sacrifices of our community to weather this historic and ongoing pandemic. We remain Duke United.

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

Mary Pat McMahon,
Vice Provost and Vice President, Student Affairs

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

John Vaughn, MD,
Director of Student Health

This message is being sent to all students, faculty and staff of Duke University.

COVID-19 Booster Shot Required as a Condition of Employment for University

By Paul Grantham

On December 29, 2021

In Duke University, For Faculty, For Staff

NOTE: The deadline for the booster shot was extended to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As communicated earlier, Duke University will now require that all faculty and staff, regardless of work location, receive and show documentation of a completed COVID-19 booster vaccination as a condition of employment. Below are the details regarding compliance:

Requirement:

All faculty and staff members, regardless of work location, must receive and show documentation of their completed COVID-19 vaccination by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, or within 28 days of their eligibility under CDC and state guidelines.
Those who already have received an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement are exempt from the booster requirement and do not need to reapply for a new exemption. (Note: weekly COVID test and submission of daily symptom monitoring is required for those unvaccinated).
Anyone who has not received the booster shot or have an approved exemption by the deadline will be issued a Final Written Warning and placed on administrative leave. (Accrued vacation or discretionary holiday time may be used if available; otherwise, the leave will be unpaid.) After the seven days, anyone not compliant will be terminated and not recommended for rehire.

Documentation:

Faculty and staff who received their booster through Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW) do not need to provide additional documentation.
Those who received the booster in the community (such as a retail pharmacy or a Duke patient clinic), will need to submit an image of their booster vaccination documentation through the confidential Duke VaxTrax system so that our records can be updated accordingly.

Vaccination Locations:

For booster scheduling options at Duke facilities, visit the Duke COVID Vaccine website. In the community, booster vaccinations are conveniently available at local pharmacies, supermarkets and many other locations listed on the Durham County Department of Public Health website or NC DHHS directory.

Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free. While existing data suggests the Omicron variant appears to cause fewer cases of severe illness, it is also much more contagious than the Delta variant and can spread much more quickly, threatening our education, research, and healthcare activities. Getting the booster can help protect you, your friends, and your colleagues, as well as ensure that our hospital and clinical resources are available to support the community during a time of urgent need.

In addition to receiving your COVID-19 booster vaccination, it is crucial to continue to practice safe behaviors to keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. Wear a mask at all times in our facilities. Practice good hand hygiene. Maintain a safe distance from others, especially when removing your mask to eat or drink. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping to keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Kyle Cavanaugh,
Vice President, Administration

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