After more than 1.2 million COVID-19 tests, Duke’s mandatory surveillance testing program is finally scheduled to end for asymptomatic vaccinated students.
The surveillance testing program, which began in August 2020, will no longer include asymptomatic vaccinated students beginning the week of March 21, according to an email from Vice President for Administration Kyle Cavanaugh.
“While the program has served us well, it is now time to adapt to the changing landscape, just as we did with prior modifications to isolation and contract tracing,” the email read.
Surveillance testing will continue at a limited capacity for unvaccinated students, staff and faculty who are required to test every week and those who choose to do so voluntarily. Additionally, any students, faculty or staff experiencing symptoms will be able to acquire a COVID-19 test through either Student Health or Employee Occupational Health and Wellness.
This decision was made “after consultation with Duke’s infectious disease experts” and is in part a response to the high vaccination rate and decline in positive COVID-19 tests during the last several weeks, according to the email.
The email also noted that there will be limited surveillance testing for those who remain on campus during the school week from March 7-11, which is undergraduate spring break. Additionally, Duke will resume normal surveillance testing for one week after spring break.
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Anna Zolotor is a Trinity senior and recruitment chair for The Chronicle's 118th volume. She was previously news editor for Volume 117.