Undergraduate students at Duke University are forced to quarantine after an outbreak of coronavirus cases that the school says is related to recruiting parties.
Duke said in a statement that the move was to contain the escalating number of COVID-19 cases among college students, which was said to be “primarily driven by college students attending recruiting parties for selective living groups.”
The school said more than 180 students have been isolated after testing positive for COVID-19, and another 200 quarantined due to contract tracking.
“This is by far the largest number of positive tests and quarantines for a week since the start of the pandemic,” the school said.
Under the order, all in-person courses are only transferred to online and students cannot participate in laboratory activities.
Students living on campus must remain in their living hall or apartment, except for activities related to food, health, or safety. Those living off campus are not allowed on campus except for surveillance testing, seeking medical care, and being fed.
The order took effect on March 13 at midnight and will remain in effect until March 21 at 9 a.m. The university warned that “blatant and repeated violations” could lead to suspension or withdrawal from the institution.
The school will continue to monitor the situation and will share an update on March 18.
Duke currently has 6,542 undergraduate students.