Effective Monday, March 7, 2022, The Forest at Duke is mask optional. We no longer require masks in Independent Living residences or Community Center common areas, per the City and County of Durham. However, all residents and team members should determine their individual comfort level and weak masks accordingly.
Two notable exceptions are as follows:
- All team members who enter a residence must remain masked while in that resident’s home.
- All team members and visitors to the Health Center must continue to be masked.
Effective Friday, May 6, 2022, team members in Independent Living are no longer required to screen at the Community Center entrance. However, any and every team member who works in or travels to the Health Center must screen prior to entering that part of the building. Masks are required in the Health Center. All visitors and vendors of The Forest at Duke must continue to screen prior to entering the Community Center. Community Center kiosk questions have been modified to reflect CDC guidelines.
Visitation – Health Center
All visitors, vendors, and team members entering the Health Center are required to continue to screen prior to entry and wear a mask at all times. Health Center screening kiosks can be found in the following locations:
- Main entrance
- Team member entrance at Olsen
- Glass elevator on Level 2 (near the Clinic)
Visitation must be confined to resident rooms—no visiting in common areas.
Due to the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic, all visitation is subject to change, based on necessary isolation or as directed by governing agencies. Please contact Jessica Hackett, Resident Navigator, at 919-419-4086 or jhackett@forestduke.org for information regarding the current Health Center visitation policy.
Resident Notifications
To keep The Forest community well informed, updates will be distributed to residents via Channel 1390, TouchTown screens, Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS), and our brightly colored notices, as well as email, when possible.
Transportation Update
Routine scheduled, concierge, event, and medical transportation resumed at full schedule on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Vaccinations
The Forest at Duke continues to offer on-site vaccination clinics as needed. First, second, and booster doses are available. Current and incoming residents can schedule with our on-site clinic by phone at 919-419-4020. Current and new team members can schedule with Human Resources.
Effective October 4, 2021, a full COVID-19 vaccination is required for all TFAD team members as a term of employment. Individuals granted medical or religious exemption must participate in twice weekly COVID-19 testing and comply with daily symptom monitoring, masking, and other applicable protocols.
Effective January 21, 2022, The Forest at Duke has enhanced its Team Member COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement policy to include COVID-19 booster vaccinations, following CDC recommendations.
External Resources
If you have questions about COVID-19, the following websites offer comprehensive information:
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine: AMDA Update on COVID-19
