Duke to delay in-person instruction as officials expect post-holiday COVID surge
Duke University will start the spring semester in January remotely as a precautionary move due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, the university said Wednesday.
All undergraduate, graduate and professional classes will be remote from January 5 to 8. In-person instruction for undergraduates and most graduate and professional school programs is expected to resume on Monday, Jan. 10.
Students in certain graduate programs that operate on different calendars will receive specific guidance from their schools, according to a Duke news release.
Earlier this week, Duke announced that it will require eligible students and employees to get a booster vaccine shot before returning, or as soon as they’re eligible according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
A negative COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours prior to returning to campus will be required for unvaccinated students. A rapid or antigen test won’t be accepted.
Students who test positive for the virus shouldn’t return to campus until their isolation period is completed, the university said..
“We have faced these uncertainties and challenges before, and, thanks to your dedication, we have been able to continue our vital missions of education, research and service to society. Now we must do so again,” a statement signed by Duke leadership said.
Six infections caused by the omicron variant in Durham were identified this week by the Durham County Public Health Department.
UNC announces required COVID testing
UNC-Chapel Hill hasn’t announced yet whether it will start its spring semester remotely as well. The Faculty Executive Committee at UNC will hold a meeting Thursday at 1 p.m. to discuss “COVID-19 operations” for the semester, according to a meeting notice.
UNC students are currently scheduled to start in-person spring semester classes on Jan. 10. Any changes to spring operations will be announced no later than Monday, Jan. 3, the university said.
On Wednesday, the university announced mandatory COVID testing for all unvaccinated students and students living in residence halls. Testing is “strongly encouraged” for those living in the area, regardless of vaccination status, the university said.
The tests will need to be completed 72 hours before arriving on campus.
The university has not required staff or students to get vaccinated, but continues to urge them to not only get vaccinated, but to also get the booster.
“While we cannot mandate the booster, we have consistently urged everyone to get the booster shot,” the university said Wednesday.
Orange County health officials reported its first infection caused by omicron last week in a fully vaccinated person who had not received a booster shot.
Protective measures across university administrations have sprung this month as health officials fear that the omicron variant will cause a greater spike in infections than those seen before.
State health officials warn that the omicron variant could trigger 10,000 virus cases a day in January, rivaling a post-holiday surge seen at the beginning of 2021, The News & Observer reported.
This story was originally published December 22, 2021 at 1:39 PM with the headline "Duke to delay in-person instruction as officials expect post-holiday COVID surge."
