Latest Updates - Page 15 of 31 - Coronavirus Response

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.

Testing Update: October 31 – November 6, 2020

By Kristen Brown

On November 9, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, Testing & Reporting

Duke University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing program received results from 15,858 tests administered to students and faculty/staff from October 31 – November 6, 2020. In total, there were 22 positive results – four undergraduate students, five graduate/professional students, and thirteen faculty/staff. The positivity rate was 0.139 percent.

Since the start of the program on Aug. 2, Duke has completed 149,614 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.

Exit Testing and End of the Semester Information for Graduate and Professional Students

By Kristen Brown

On November 6, 2020

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

The message is being sent to all Duke graduate and professional students.

Friday, November 6, 2020

Dear students,

The semester is quickly drawing to a close and we know that many of you are finalizing plans to leave Duke and Durham for Winter Break. We are writing today to share important updates including sharing your departure plans with us if you’re on campus or in the Durham area, and how to complete a COVID-19 exit test before you leave. Additionally, we want to highlight valuable health and wellness information for Winter Break.

Please read this message carefully and note the required actions, whether you are living on campus or elsewhere in Durham this fall.

Also, note that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

TELL US YOUR DEPARTURE PLANS — ALL STUDENTS

It is important that you complete the form so we can provide health and testing services to those remaining on campus or in the Durham area and need access to campus. Please note that any intentional falsification of this form may result in a referral to your program leadership.

In addition to this email, you will also receive a link to the form through Duke’s text message notification system. You are welcome to fill out the form as soon as you know your plans, but at the latest, it must be completed by NOVEMBER 13. We understand that plans may change, so if you need to update your response, you can do so by visiting the same link again via this email or the link sent to you via text.

For graduate and professional students living in Durham or the surrounding area, we encourage you to limit (or avoid) travel during the winter break.

For public health reasons, we need to minimize back-and-forth travel from Duke students to and from other locations around the US and globe. If you must travel during this period, please use the form above to provide departure and return dates. We understand that for many of you Durham is your home. We are working with school leadership to determine who will require campus access over the break, and therefore be required to participate in surveillance testing. We are aware that students in some programs will continue to engage in educational activity after the Thanksgiving break due to the unique academic calendar of their program. Such students should await further communication from their school or program leadership.

EXIT TESTING — FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE PROOF OF TESTING TO TRAVEL

We know that some of you may be traveling to states or countries that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you can travel. A few notes:

Pay close attention to your state or country’s requirements—some require proof of a negative result within a certain time period before your departure, or require a specific type of test.
Note that regular surveillance testing will NOT fulfill this requirement. If you think you need a COVID-19 test for travel, please call Student Health as soon as possible to review your needs.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE OR HAVE TO QUARANTINE BEFORE DEPARTURE

Students who either test positive or are required to quarantine between now and the date they plan to leave Durham will have three options:

Students who already reside on campus may remain in Duke-provided facilities until you are approved to leave.
A family member may pick you up and drive you home; you should NOT use any form of public transportation during this time.
You may drive yourself home; again, you should NOT use public transportation during this time.

If you test positive, we will work with you to develop a strategy that is right for you.

DURING WINTER BREAK — ALL STUDENTS

We hope that you stay healthy and well over the break. A few reminders:

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth; do not share your mask with others.
Limit your circle of contacts, and pay attention to who your contacts interact with and who in your circle is particularly at risk to complications from COVID-19 (e.g. those 65 or older, or people with underlying health conditions).
Avoid higher risk settings such as indoor gatherings, places where physical distancing is not possible, activities that involve increased respiratory effort, or places or activities where people may be maskless
Practice physical distancing
If you haven’t already, get vaccinated for the flu
Wash your hands regularly, and if that is not possible, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Rest and spend time doing things that give you life. It’s been a tough semester!

If you are staying on campus over the break, we will share more information with you soon about life on campus, including more details on campus office hours, dining, and surveillance testing over the break.

PLANNING AHEAD: SPRING 2021 OPENING — ALL STUDENTS

All students, whether returning to Durham or arriving for the first time, must participate in entry testing before gaining access to campus. Entry testing for graduate and professional students will begin on January 9 in Penn Pavilion unless otherwise noted by your school; some students in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing will begin testing on January 4 and can expect to receive more specific communication from their program leadership. Entry testing for undergraduate students will begin January 15 in Penn Pavilion.

Details about scheduling an entry test for January will also be shared with all students in the coming weeks. Similar to the fall semester, all students are required to sequester in their residence until a negative test result is received via Duke MyChart. To decrease the likelihood of a positive test, we strongly encourage you to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus and to minimize contact with others during the break.

Again, please remember that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

Thank you for all that each of you has done this fall to protect the health of your fellow students, of Duke staff and faculty and the Durham community. Let’s keep it up these last few weeks of the semester and finish strong. We are all in this together.

Go Duke,

Jennifer Francis
Executive Vice Provost

John Vaughn, M.D.
Director of Student Health Services

Exit Testing and End of the Semester Information for Undergraduate Students

By Kristen Brown

On November 6, 2020

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

Friday, November 6, 2020

Dear students,

Please read this message carefully and note the required actions, whether you are living on campus or elsewhere in Durham this fall.

Also, note that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

TELL US YOUR DEPARTURE PLANS — ALL STUDENTS

We know that many of our students are studying remotely this fall, all around the world. For all students who are living on campus at Duke or off campus in the Durham area, you must complete this short form to notify the university of your departure from Durham. Completing this survey helps us coordinate any necessary health screening prior to your planned travel and removes you from the surveillance testing pool until January.

It is important that you complete the form so we can provide health and testing services to those remaining on campus or in the Durham area. Please note that any intentional falsification of this form may result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

In addition to this email, you will also receive a link to the form through Duke’s text message notification system. You are welcome to fill out the form as soon as you know your plans, but at the latest, it must be completed by NOVEMBER 13. We understand that plans may change, so if you need to update your response, you can do so by visiting the same link again via this email or the link sent to you via text.

When you leave Durham, plan not to return to campus until January.

In other words, if you are leaving Durham in the next few weeks (e.g., to visit family or friends, for mental health reasons), this will serve as your official departure for break and you will not be able to return to campus until spring semester. For public health reasons, we need to minimize back-and-forth travel from Duke students to and from other locations around the US and globe. Be sure to pack everything you need for break, including the materials you may need to finish your semester remotely.

EXIT TESTING — FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE PROOF OF TESTING TO TRAVEL

We know that some of you may be traveling to states or countries that require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you can travel. A few notes:

Pay close attention to your state or country’s requirements—some require proof of a negative result within a certain time period before your departure, or require a specific type of test.
Note that regular surveillance testing will NOT fulfill this requirement. If you think you need a COVID-19 test for travel, please call Student Health as soon as possible to review your needs.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE OR HAVE TO QUARANTINE BEFORE DEPARTURE

Students who either test positive or are required to quarantine between now and the date they plan to leave Durham will have three options:

Students who already reside on campus may remain in Duke-provided facilities until you are approved to leave.
A family member may pick you up and drive you home; you should NOT use any form of public transportation during this time.
You may drive yourself home; again, you should NOT use public transportation during this time.

If you test positive, we will work with you to develop a strategy that is right for you.

MOVE OUT — STUDENTS CURRENTLY LIVING ON CAMPUS

All students must be out of their residence halls by 12:00 p.m. on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, unless you have been approved to stay on campus over break. If you are not returning to campus in the spring (or if you suspect that you may not return), you should take all your belongings with you; any items left behind will be considered abandoned and will be donated or discarded. If you are returning to campus in the spring, you do not have to move out entirely, but be sure to take all valuable items with you: money, visas, passports, electronics, essential school materials, medications and items of sentimental or emotional value. All students must turn in their room keys by 12:00 p.m. on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 to the HRL West Office (for residents of main West Campus), HRL East Office (for residents of East Campus), 300 Swift Office (for residents of Swift Quad), or our satellite locations (Washington Duke, Avana, and Blue Light, respectively). You will NOT be able to return to your room for any reason over the break.

DURING WINTER BREAK — ALL STUDENTS

We hope that you stay healthy and well over the break. A few reminders:

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth; do not share your mask with others.
Limit your circle of contacts, and pay attention to who your contacts interact with and who in your circle is particularly at risk to complications from COVID-19 (e.g. those 65 or older, or people with underlying health conditions).
Avoid higher risk settings such as indoor gatherings, places where physical distancing is not possible, activities that involve increased respiratory effort, or places or activities where people may be maskless
Practice physical distancing
If you haven’t already, get vaccinated for the flu
Wash your hands regularly, and if that is not possible, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Rest and spend time doing things that give you life. It’s been a tough semester!

If you are away from Durham for the break and develop symptoms and/or test positive, you should notify your local health department and notify Student Health through the SymMon app. Please note that if you test positive for COVID over break, you should submit that result by sending an email to dshcheckin@duke.edu prior to your return in January. This will assist with your re-entry testing process as well.

If you are staying on campus over the break, we will share more information with you soon about life on campus, including more details on campus office hours, dining, and surveillance testing over the break.

PLANNING AHEAD: SPRING 2021 OPENING — ALL STUDENTS

All students, whether returning to Durham or arriving for the first time, must participate in entry testing before gaining access to campus. Entry testing for graduate and professional students will begin on January 9 in Penn Pavilion unless otherwise noted by your school. Entry testing for undergraduate students will begin January 15 in Penn Pavilion. Residence halls will also open on January 15.

More information about move-in will be shared directly with students with an on-campus assignment for Spring 2021. Details about scheduling an entry test for January will also be shared with all students in the coming weeks. Similar to the fall semester, all students are required to sequester in their residence until a negative test result is received via Duke MyChart. To decrease the likelihood of a positive test, we strongly encourage you to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus and to minimize contact with others during the break.

Again, please remember that all plans for the spring semester are subject to change on short notice based on local and national public health conditions.

Thank you for all that each of you has done this fall to protect the health of your fellow students, of Duke staff and faculty and the Durham community. Let’s keep it up these last few weeks of the semester and finish strong. We are all in this together.

Go Duke,

John Blackshear
Dean of Students

John Vaughn, M.D.
Director of Student Health Services

Testing Update: October 24 – 30, 2020

By Kristen Brown

On November 2, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, Testing & Reporting

Duke University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing program received results from 15,578 tests administered to students and faculty/staff from October 24 – 30, 2020. In total, there were 17 positive results – six undergraduate students, three graduate/professional students, and eight faculty/staff. The positivity rate was 0.11 percent.

Since the start of the program on Aug. 2, Duke has completed 133,756 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.

Student Conduct Updates – October 30

By Kristen Brown

On October 30, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Students

The message is being sent to all Duke undergraduate students.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Dear undergraduate students,

As Halloween approaches, we can’t help but think that not much is scarier than COVID. Numbers keep rising nationally, and we are watching fellow universities, including many nearby, fight to contain outbreaks on their campuses. We appreciate everything you have been doing to keep Duke on the right course so far, but we can’t let up now.

The choices you make now could impact your health and the health of those around you, your planned holiday travel, our ability to keep Duke running this fall, and significantly change Duke’s plans for the spring.

COVID REMINDERS

We know it’s been a challenging semester, and many of you probably just want to hang out with friends, away from the virus. We want that for you too. However, local COVID rates are as high as they’ve been at any time during the pandemic, and this increase in prevalence means we need to be more careful right now.

We care about your health and the health of your fellow students and our community members, and we need you to make choices that show you care as well. As we shared yesterday, there are a few ways we need to adjust course to keep Duke on the right track.

We know it’s Halloween. But COVID doesn’t take holidays, and neither can we. We have to keep doing everything in our power to keep each other safer and minimize COVID transmission.
Wear your mask. Stay physically distant. Abide by the Duke Compact. Choose safer, virtual activities this year.
Don’t forget that, per the Duke Compact, no travel outside of Durham is permitted this fall, even if it is just down the road.
Remember that any gathering of 5 or more members of an organization will be considered an organizational event, and both the individuals as well as the organization may be held accountable for any violations.
Limit ANY group gatherings, even small ones! People are giving each other COVID in groups of even 2-3. Don’t risk it.
Don’t eat together or share food. All Duke Dining locations are now pick-up only, and eating is no longer allowed in common rooms. Stay at least 6’ apart while eating, and choose a safer place to eat—outside or in your room, away from crowds. This means no groups crowded around a table or sitting close together indoors or outdoors.

COMPLIANCE AND CONDUCT UPDATES

As a reminder, enforcement of Duke’s policies is a part of our COVID response. These efforts are nuanced and hold students progressively accountable depending on the severity of the violations. Since August 7, we have taken the following actions:

19 — Administrative Action Hearings held (for individuals and groups) recommending interim actions such as suspension of activities, loss of campus privileges, remote learning, etc.
5 — Campus organizations placed on suspension
6 — Individual students issued interim suspensions for flagrant violations of COVID policy expectations and the Duke Compact pending an administrative hearing, including for hosting gatherings and failing to follow quarantine and isolation protocols to protect fellow students.
179 — Sanctions implemented by either Office of Student Conduct or Housing and Residence Life—these actions are part of a student’s conduct record and in some cases reportable to graduate schools, study away programs, and employers
408 — Students referred for educational interventions for less severe infractions of the Duke Compact—these outcomes are not part of a students’ disciplinary record
11 — Pending cases under review for potential administrative action involving more flagrant misconduct and persistent non-compliance by individuals.

As a result of these violations, some students have lost their right to remain on campus and must work remotely for the remainder of the semester. Some also face charges that could result in their suspension or permanent expulsion from Duke.

The university updates the COVID testing tracker every Monday. We will provide another update on student conduct on December 4.

We are in this together. Please stay motivated, stay vigilant, and keep supporting each other in doing this right. We are so close!

Thank you and go Duke,

Mary Pat McMahon
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Gary G. Bennett
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Don’t Give Each Other COVID

By Kristen Brown

On October 29, 2020

In Community Messages, Duke University, For Students

The message is being sent to all Duke undergraduate students.

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Dear students,

At this point in the semester, you know the various policies to help us prevent COVID transmission. Wear your mask. Socially distance. Gather only in small groups. Get tested on your surveillance days. You know the routine.

We want to be sure you also are alert to the fact that COVID is on the rise nationally. Many universities are seeing rapid increases in student cases. We need to ADJUST COURSE NOW if we want to get through the semester.

People are giving each other COVID in small settings over meals, including when they have no symptoms.
People are giving each other COVID when socializing in local establishments, in rented homes, in more remote locales, and “rushing” (not place to place, iykyk).
COVID rates in North Carolina are the highest they’ve been since the start of the pandemic. This means that the risk to you, your friends, our housekeepers, professors, dining workers, and loved ones is greater now than it was at the start of the semester.
The situation on campus is getting more serious, and more students are being affected by the virus each week.

What can you do at this point? LOTS: sit farther apart when you’re eating with people, don’t crowd couches or benches or common rooms, be okay with being the “awkward” person who stands farther away, stay close to home even when it feels like everyone else is out. It’s just what we have to do for the next twenty-odd days.

Thank you for all that you’ve done this semester. So many are doing so much right, and at no small sacrifice.

Happy Halloween and Go Duke,

Mary Pat McMahon
Vice Provost of Student Affairs

Gary Bennett
Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education