352 fully vaccinated students and faculty at Duke University test positive for COVID-19

Duke University is updating its COVID-19 protocols after reporting over 345 students and 15 employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

“Over the last week, 304 undergraduates, 45 graduate students and 15 employees tested positive for COVID-19. All but eight of these individuals were vaccinated and the vast majority continue to be asymptomatic, per the email. None have been hospitalized, while a small number have minor cold- and flu-like symptoms,” the Duke Chronicle reported.

As of Monday, the following guidelines have been implemented:

• Masks will be required indoors and outdoors unless the individual is eating or drinking, exercising alone or “otherwise not around others.”
• Indoor group seating at Duke Dining facilities will be temporarily suspended. All dining facilities will transition to grab and go. Duke installed more than 25 tents across campus to provide outdoor seating for those to wish to eat. 
• Faculty teaching undergraduate courses have the option to teach remotely for the next two weeks. It is not a requirement “but an accommodation to allow for increased flexibility as needed,” per the email. It also states that faculty who are able to continue teaching in person “should continue to do so.”
• The email states that new limitations will be placed on student activities but does not specify more information. Details will be provided directly to students, and violations of these restrictions will result in disciplinary consequences.

The University reports that 98% of students and 92% of employees have been fully vaccinated.

Photo: Duke University, Facebook.