Duke University announces at least 15 more positive tests for coronavirus
At least 15 additional members of the Duke University community who were traveling overseas have tested positive for COVID-19, the university announced Tuesday.
Four other members of that travel group were diagnosed with COVID-19 in another country and are remaining there until they have recovered. At least three are Duke graduate students.
The individuals were directed by Durham County Department of Public Health and Duke to undergo a self-quarantine at their homes off-campus once they returned to Durham, according to Duke. The individuals are in good health and will remain at home until they receive medical clearance.
Durham County Public Health and Duke Health plan to test all other individuals who traveled with this group.
Durham Public Health officials are working to complete a contact investigation to determine if the infected individuals had close contact with other people in Durham County while they were symptomatic.
In the letter to the Duke community, Vice President for Administration and Emergency Coordinator Kyle Cavanaugh said this is a “global crisis” and the university is working to limit the spread of the virus at Duke and in Durham.
He said the Duke community should expect to see a “growing number of confirmed coronavirus cases,” and it is vital that everyone use common sense and good judgment.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the coronavirus at Duke University or you would like to share information about the overseas trip, please contact higher education reporter Kate Murphy at kamurphy@newsobserver.com.
These cases in Durham County bring the total in North Carolina to at least 63 reported cases of coronavirus in more than a dozen counties as of Tuesday afternoon. N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper has also ordered restaurants and bars to end dine-in service and closed public schools statewide to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“Any one of us who has been in contact with others could have been exposed to the coronavirus,” Cavanaugh said. “We should all take every precaution to minimize exposure to the most vulnerable among us, and to protect everyone.”
Duke University has already told to students to vacate their dorms and remain off campus after spring break with the switch to online classes to help prevent the spread. The UNC System followed suit with an announcement Tuesday that residence halls will be closed and dining facilities will be limited as students take classes online for the spring semester.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 4:43 PM.
