Coronavirus Response

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

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Dear students,

The semester is quickly drawing to a close and we know that many of you may be traveling over Thanksgiving and/or over winter break. We are writing today to share important updates including how to get a COVID booster on campus—or how to let us know if you get one off-campus—and how to complete a COVID-19 exit test before you travel.

Students who test positive in an exit test will be contacted and instructed to isolate just the same as if they had done a surveillance test. Students who test positive 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.

If you are away from Durham for the break and test positive, you should:

• Notify your local health department. Also notify Student Health by submitting your test result to dshcheckin@duke.edu prior to your return to campus.
• Isolate at home for 10 days before returning.

Duke will resume surveillance testing after Thanksgiving, so we encourage you to get tested prior to returning to campus so you can isolate at home or off-campus if necessary.

Students interested in a booster shot can schedule an appointment with Student Health by calling an immunization nurse at 919.681.9355 option 1 (COVID vaccine boosters are not currently required for students). Learn more from on COVID vaccine boosters from Student Health.

If you receive your booster over break, please be sure to upload your information to Student Health in order to keep your record up-to-date.

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 of complications from COVID-19 (e.g. those 65 or older, or people with underlying health conditions).

Practice physical distancing.

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 another tough semester!

We hope you are able to use this time over Thanksgiving Break to reflect, and of course, to continue to keep yourselves, your family and friends, and all those you encounter as safe as possible.

Be safe, be well, and have a restorative break.

Go Duke,

John Blackshear, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Hunter Spotts, M.D.
Medical Director, Duke Student Health

Dear Students,

Now that the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved all three COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots, we strongly encourage you take advantage of the opportunity to get one soon.

You can schedule an appointment with Student Health by calling an immunization nurse at 919.681.9355 option 1. Appointments are also available through the Employee Vaccination Clinics located at Blue Devil Tower and the three Duke Health hospitals. You can find details on the Duke COVID Vaccine website.

At this time, the eligible criteria for students at Duke include the following:

• Those who have received their last dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccines over 6 months ago.
• Those who have received their initial dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago and are 18 years of age or older. 

The CDC also said that individuals can choose any of the three boosters now authorized regardless of their original shot. Duke medical experts suggest that anyone who received the J&J vaccine preferentially get a booster shot of either Pfizer or Moderna, which have been proven highly effective in preventing infection and severe illness.  A booster with the J&J vaccine remains an alternative for these individuals.

While the booster shot is not required for Duke students at this time, we encourage all eligible students to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect you and others from potential infection. 

Thank you for your efforts to keep the Duke community safe. Please continue wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and maintaining social distance.  

John Vaughn, MD
Director, Student Health

The message below is being sent to all Duke undergraduate students.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Good afternoon,

We, like you, are pleased to see that the number of new COVID cases on campus has been declining in the past two weeks. This is no doubt due to the actions that each of us has taken as we continue to adjust to the constraints that Delta has added to our Fall 2021 semester. As we have learned, however, the situation can change quickly, so we need to make sure that we do not let our guard down completely. 

The university released updated guidance on Monday and we’re writing to provide more specific information for undergraduates. Please note that while some of the guidelines are changing, others are continuing.

Guidelines that have been modified:

• Masking is no longer required outdoors in most circumstances on the Duke campus, though masks are still strongly recommended in outdoor settings with a gathering of people.  Masks will continue to be required for large outdoor events on campus and must still be used indoors in classrooms and public spaces. 
• Faculty have largely returned to in-person teaching.

Guidelines that are continuing:

• Indoor masking is required, including in all areas of the residence halls (except your assigned room/suite/apartment). Along with the vaccine, masking is the most effective strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• Indoor seating at Duke Dining facilities remains limited.Outdoor group dining will still be available across campus. Thank you for making use of the tents on East and West!
• Student organization programs with 50 or more attendees need to be registered and approved through DukeGroups in consultation with UCAE. This continues a practice established last academic year. Suggestions for how to host a safer event include providing pre-packaged food, allowing for a virtual option, remaining masked, and thinking creatively about seating options that allow for different levels of comfort (spaced out blankets, small groups of 4-5 chairs, etc.). Events should be held outside when possible and, if an event is not approved before the event is to take place, event hosts should plan to hold it virtually.
• Undergraduate students hosting informal social gatherings on- or off-campus must ensure attendees are fully masked and limit attendance to no more than 50 people. Hosting larger and/or unmasked events while this policy is in place will be considered a violation of the Undergraduate Student COVID-19 Policy Plan and will result in disciplinary action for hosts and possibly for attendees.  

Our data show that what we’re doing is working and we encourage you to continue making decisions that support the health and wellness of our community, especially those who cannot be vaccinated. Community and connection are vitally important and we’ll continue our efforts to support all students during this time. 

We know most undergraduates are getting into a solid routine at this point in the semester, with classes and commitments keeping you engaged. Please remember that connection is critical; we encourage all of you to find ways to connect safely with one another, with faculty and mentors, and to seek out campus activities and opportunities where you can explore and have fun. 

Well done, all, and let’s continue the good work.

Go Duke,

Gary Bennett, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education
Mary Pat McMahon, Vice Provost of Student Affairs