Secure off-campus and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus

Several members of the Dining Services contract team tested positive for COVID-19 after the family gathered off campus in May.

These individuals wore face masks and were physically separated during work, but did not take the same safety precautions during off-campus events.

Dr. Carroll Eppling, who is responsible for the occupational health and wellness (EOHW) of Duke’s employees, said that about 80% of Duke’s employees’ positive COVID-19 test results were either outside work or of unknown origin. Said it was due to contact.

“In part, due to campus precautions, employees have experienced much lower infection rates than the entire community,” Eppling said. “But after you leave the workplace, you can’t be alert and self-satisfied. The precautions we take are just as important as the health of others.”

A contract dining team member who became ill and recovered by self-isolation without being hospitalized. Nonetheless, this situation emphasizes the importance of staying safe while off campus to prevent the virus from spreading.

Robert Coffey, Executive Director of Duke Dining, evaluates dining health and safety policies to stop the spread of the virus.

“I hope this is a lesson that hides work,” he said. “Practicing covering your face and washing your hands should be done at all times, not just during work.”

To limit the spread of COVID-19, Center for Disease Control and Prevention Everyone recommends:

• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water
• Keep at least 6 feet away from others
• When you’re around other people, cover your face with a cloth and cover your mouth and nose

While renting or owning Duke’s property, all members of the Duke community cover their face and eat or drink in confined rooms, such as offices, in the same direction or more than 6 feet away from other places. Except when Duke will soon offer three reusable fabric face covers to all students, faculty and staff.

The distribution of face covers for faculty and staff is managed through the Return to Work Coordinator at each school or department. The Student Division will coordinate the distribution to students.

Due to the burgeoning number of cases in North Carolina, it is important to follow health and safety measures to prevent virus transmission. On June 2, according to the State Department of Health and Human Services, there were 29,889 positive cases and 921 deaths in North Carolina, Dashboard Of state affairs. On July 7, there were 75,875 positive cases and 1,420 deaths.

Dr Cameron Wolf, an associate professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at Duke University, said one reason for the increase in COVID-19 cases is wearing face masks and practicing other habits to limit the spread of the virus. He said he was tired of the people.

“We all want to find and try ways to work safely at Duke,” said Wolf. “If some of my ability to keep my workplace open is wearing a mask, that’s the minimum I can do. When I’m not sure if I’m infected, I wear a mask. What you do protects you fundamentally. That part of science is really solid.”

Duke Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Associate Professor Suzanne Wardell has been wearing a mask and working with eight colleagues in a lab at the Levine Science Research Center since her home-based order took effect in March. I will.

Knowing that she shares a workspace with others, Wardel wears a mask in public and makes sure she maintains a physical distance when strolling two dogs. Become.

“I want to do everything I can to keep the others around me safe,” Wardel said. “The minimum I can do is to be vigilant, practice social distances, and wear a mask.”

In addition to the masks and physical distance, Duke has instructed staff and teachers to return to work, Monitor symptoms daily Before reporting to work. At the moment, says CDC COVID 19 symptoms Fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny/nasal congestion, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, nausea, body aches, etc.

If you feel unwell, call the Duke Health COVID-19 Hotline (Option 1, 919-385-0429) for symptom assessment and COVID-19 testing between 8am and 8pm. Please give me.

“Being at home can save lives, even if it’s like an upset stomach,” Eppling said. “We are not yet very knowledgeable about the virus and we cannot ignore the symptoms. We recommend that you monitor your symptoms and be careful when limiting your exposure to others.”

It helps to share the positive and extensive work being done by all members of the Duke community during the outbreak of COVID-19. Submit ideas, comments and photos here Or write [email protected]..