Cluster of COVID-19 Cases Reported from Birthday Party

Duke has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases related to recent travel and attendance at a birthday party on Feb. 15 at an off-campus apartment. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more related cases that are deemed to be in close proximity of time and location, such as a residential hall or apartment complex. 

The six graduate students, who attended the event at 810 Ninth Apartments located on 9th Street in Durham, are now in isolation. Contact tracers have identified others who may have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within six feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact have been notified and have been placed in quarantine.

Duke officials have also notified the Durham County Health Department. 

All members of the Duke community should continue to wear a mask, remain six feet from others, and wash hands regularly to ensure your safety and the safety of others around you.