Duke University Health employee has COVID-19; Duke says patients were not exposed
An employee of Duke University Health System has tested positive for COVID-19, but hospital officials say they don’t think any patients were exposed to the coronavirus.
The employee was not at work when he or she developed symptoms of COVID-19, Duke Health officials said in an email. The person did not return to work and is in self-isolation at home, the email says.
“The individual had no patient care contact at Duke at any time in the course of their illness, and no Duke patients were at risk at any time,” the email says.
The COVID-19 case is the first among Duke Health employees and the first announced by one of the Triangle’s three major hospital systems.
Duke said it does not appear that the employee was exposed to COVID-19 while at work. Duke’s infection control and occupational health officials reached out to everyone the employee is thought to have contacted and says “none of the contacts required testing.”
A spokeswoman for Duke said she did not have more information to release.
In a separate email to staff, Duke said they expect this employee won’t be the last to contract coronavirus.
“We are just at the beginning of our COVID-19 response efforts, and while we anticipate more of our community will develop infections in the coming weeks, want to let you know our first team member has tested positive for COVID-19,” the email said.
It’s not clear if the Duke employee is a new case of coronavirus or one of the 35 previously reported in Durham County. As of Friday morning, North Carolina has 137 cases of the coronavirus, according to the latest count on the state Department of Health and Human Services’ website.
Since March 16, Duke has asked all patients and visitors to Duke University, Duke Regional and Duke Raleigh hospitals if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or risk of exposure to coronavirus. Those who do not are given a wristband and allowed to enter. Those with symptoms are turned away. The policy does not cover employees.
“These policies and procedures are under constant review,” Duke said in a written statement, “and will be revised as warranted by current events.”
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 12:22 PM.
