Information about current cases of infection, behavioral recommendations in case of infection, hygiene measures and free coronatests for first-dose vaccinators

Dear University Members
dear Colleagues, dear Students,

in order to enable the return in presence to the campus, we have developed a comprehensive hygiene concept in an internal university dialogue and in coordination with the authorities, which should help to prevent corona infections on campus. Despite this concept, we must assume that infections are still possible in individual cases among tested as well as vaccinated and recovered persons.

We have now become aware of 10 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infections from courses taught by a total of 7 faculty members during the past opening week and the current first week of classes. We have immediately taken all necessary steps to inform the possibly affected students and lecturers and to coordinate with the health authorities. In at least one of these courses, it is likely that transmission may have occurred in the context of the course.

At the same time, in the estimation of the Public Health Office – if all hygiene measures are observed - the risk of spreading infections in the context of the university can still be considered low. We would like to take this as an opportunity to once again draw your attention to the regulations currently required in connection with the implementation of the 3G concept, in addition to the circulars sent out by the Presidential Board last week, and to sincerely request your assistance in ensuring that the winter semester is as safe as possible.

1. ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT is the compliance with all regulations

1. on 3G MODE and 3G CONTROL, in order to reduce the presence of possibly infected persons on campus as much as possible, even though we cannot completely exclude test failures and asymptomatic infections,
2. on the PRINCIPAL MASK DUTY in all university buildings and courses to reduce the spread or ingestion of aerosols as much as possible,
3. on COMPLETE CONTACT REGISTRATION and LOGGING IN AND OUT of all participants when entering and leaving event rooms via the QR code posted in the rooms via smartphone or paper printout to ensure rapid information of all affected persons in case of infections.
4. You will find the DETAILED INFORMATION in the circulars to lecturers dated 11.10.2021, to students dated 13.10.2021 and to employees dated 06.10.2021 at https://www.leuphana.de/portale/coronavirus/aktuell.html as well as on the target group specific pages for lecturers, students and employees in the Coronavirus Portal of the University.
    

In addition, we would like to provide you with the following information:

2. BEHAVIOR IN CASE OF INFECTION OR SUSPECTED INFECTION

1. In case of a confirmed infection, please inform your local health department, which will coordinate all necessary measures with you.
2. In addition, please also inform the university via the mail address cv-kontaktnachverfolgung@leuphana.de. In this case, the following information is required: Name, telephone number and e-mail address of the person concerned, event(s) attended, event rooms, name of the instructor(s). The university will then use the data collected when entering the event rooms to determine the persons who had contact with the infected person and inform them about the incident with instructions on how to proceed.
3. In the event of infection or suspected infection, please follow the campus attendance policy posted on the University's Corona Portal:
   - Information for Employees: https://www.leuphana.de/portale/coronavirus/beschaeftigte.html
   - Information for students: https://www.leuphana.de/portale/coronavirus/studierende.html
4. Please follow the procedures outlined in the Lower Saxony Corona Segregation Ordinance: https://www.niedersachsen.de/Coronavirus/vorschriften-der-landesregierung-185856.html and contact your primary care physician for consultation if needed.

3. FREE TESTS FOR THOSE WITH A FIRST DOSE OF VACCINATION

In addition to the previous regulations, the Presidential Board has decided to cover the costs of rapid tests at the Corona testing station in the University's Central Building even after October 22 for students and employees who are waiting for the required second vaccination after their first Corona vaccination or who have to bridge the time after the 2nd vaccination until they have achieved full vaccination protection. This provision applies individually for a period of up to eight weeks after the date of initial vaccination.

1. Students who wish to take advantage of this offer should present their student ID and their vaccination certificate confirming the initial vaccination at the testing station.
2. Employees who wish to take advantage of this offer, please have your status as an employee of the university confirmed in writing by your responsible administrator in the Personnel Service. Please present the confirmation and your vaccination certificate confirming initial vaccination at the testing station.

We are all united in our desire to experience this winter semester in attendance as fully as possible. In general, we perceive a great effort on the part of the university community to implement hygiene rules. Nonetheless, it is necessary that all university members abide by the rules that apply to campus operations. This is the only way we can collectively avoid a rampant infection event at the University that would subsequently require a return to online study. Therefore, let us all continue to work together to responsibly deal with the ever-changing situation and take good care of each other.

With kind regards
Christian Brei
Executive Vice President