If You Feel Sick

Employees experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, or other respiratory illnesses should report their symptoms to Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW), schedule testing, and self-isolate until cleared by EOHW. You can report new symptoms or exposures through My Status Link or by contacting the Employee Health Exposure Hotline.

1. Report new symptoms or exposures through My Status Link by following the instructions below:

  • Click on My Status Link
  • On the My Status Link page, click on Report New Symptoms or Report New Exposure link
  • Follow instructions to complete the submission
  • Be sure to click Submit
  • Check your Duke email for scheduling instructions and link
  • Locations:
    • Duke Medicine Pavilion Room 2W97 at 10 Duke Medicine Circle
  • Access your results in your My Duke Health account

2. You may also contact the Duke Employee Health Exposure Hotline to report symptoms or seek guidance.

  • Call 919-385-0429, Option 1
  • Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., M - F, and 8 a.m. - noon on weekends
  • After hour urgent concerns, call the Duke emergency operator for the exposure nurse on call at 919-684-8115

Submitting Outside Test Results

Home or outside positive test results can be reported to Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW) by following the instructions below:

  • Click on My Status Link
  • On the My Status Link page, click on the Submit Test Results link
  • Follow instructions to complete the submission
  • Be sure to click Submit
  • Check your Duke email for additional instructions from EOHW. A copy of your test result, along with your Duke ID badge, is required for verification.

Employee COVID Testing

  • Click on My Status Link
  • On the My Status Link page, click on Report New Symptoms link
  • Follow instructions to complete the submission
  • Be sure to click Submit
  • Check your Duke email for scheduling instructions and link
  • Locations:
    • Duke Medicine Pavilion Room 1E18 at 10 Duke Medicine Circle
  • Access your Duke results in your My Duke Health account

Access to Care

  • If you are ill, please contact your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or visit Urgent Care. If the situation is critical, visit the nearest Emergency Department.
  • If you do not have a PCP, you can Find a Doctor through the Duke Health website.

Masking

  • Masking is still required for anyone who is symptomatic and around others, regardless of location or test results.

Duke Health strongly recommends masking for patients, visitors, and team members during respiratory virus season – October 15, 2025, through March 30, 2026. We know that wearing a mask is an effective way to protect yourself from acquiring or spreading respiratory viruses and other communicable diseases.

Quarantine

  • EOHW does not quarantine any employees following exposure to COVID-19.
  • If you have been exposed to someone confirmed with COVID-19, you should wear a mask and monitor for symptoms.
  • Test 3-5 days after the last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

When to Return to Work After Testing Positive (Effective October 15, 2025)

Patient-facing Employee guidance

Personnel who directly interact with patients (i.e., you come within 6 feet of patients in your daily work) or personnel who work closely with colleagues who directly interact with patient:

  • You must isolate from others for 3 days.
  • You must have improving symptoms with the absence of fever, diarrhea or vomiting for at least 24 hours.
  • If symptoms persist or worsen after the required isolation period, contact the Employee Health Exposure Hotline and your supervisor to discuss additional time out of work. Any further absences may be subject to Duke’s Availability to Work Policy or departmental attendance guidelines.
  • Employees are required to wear an N95 or well-fitting mask for at least 7 days from symptom onset (or from the positive test date if asymptomatic) and until all symptoms have fully resolved, whichever period is longer.
  • Employees should avoid any unmasked contact with others during this time.

Non-patient-facing Employee guidance

Personnel who do not interact with patients or personnel who do not work closely with colleagues who directly interact with patients:

  • Team member will self-determine their return-to-work date following these rules:
    • May not work while sick with fever, systemic symptoms, or severe symptoms (i.e. significant cough)
    • Must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-suppressing medication AND symptoms are improving to return to work
  • Employees are required to wear an N95 or well-fitting mask for at least 7 days from symptom onset (or from the positive test date if asymptomatic) and until all symptoms have fully resolved, whichever period is longer.
  • Employees should avoid any unmasked contact with others during this time.

Support Resources

Vaccine Information

  • If you have received the COVID-19 or Flu vaccine from a source other than an Employee vaccination clinic (such as Duke Health Provider, local pharmacies, health department, or another institution), submit your documentation at https://duke.is/vxsfu.