On Monday, we informed students and employees about a number of Covid-19 cases on campus. The GGD Twente regional health services notified us about six residents of the Campus053 (Camelot) building who had tested positive for coronavirus. We would like to inform you about the current situation.
So far, there have been no other cases related to those mentioned above. This may be seen as a positive signal. However, we must remain cautious, as new infections may still come to light.
Immediate intervention
We are very happy with the immediate intervention of the GGD Twente team, who conducted contact tracing for the students who tested positive. The Camelot building owner also immediately took action, closing all non-essential common rooms in accordance with GGD recommendations.
The students mentioned above are in self-quarantine. Furthermore, the GGD has asked several persons who have been in contact with the infected students to remain in self-isolation and monitor their health status. These individuals had been within a 1.5-metre proximity of an infected person for longer than 15 minutes.
The situation is being monitored closely, and additional measures will be taken at short notice if required.
Follow the rules and get tested if you have symptoms
In the email we sent out on Monday, we stressed the importance of the precautionary measures: follow the rules set by the national authorities such as keeping 1.5 metres social distance, washing your hands frequently, coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and avoiding busy places. If you develop symptoms: stay at home, do not have friends or family over and get tested. Anyone who has symptoms can get tested, even if they are mild.
The university’s protocols for the use of campus facilities for education, research, social, cultural and sports activities are based on the national guidelines, aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
If we all stick to the rules and follow the protocols carefully, we will continue to limit the risk of contagion. Do everything you can to protect yourself and those in your surroundings.
Added value and necessity of testing
Why isn’t everyone getting tested? The GGD has the following to say about this: if the GGD’s contact tracing indicates that you may be at risk, you will already have been called and your last contact with an infected person will be known. It can take a maximum of 14 days (the maximum incubation period) before you develop symptoms. If you have no symptoms, a test may not provide any useful information, especially if you have not been exposed to a known risk. You can be contagious for about two days before you develop symptoms. A test during this period will likely yield a negative result, even though you may still be in the incubation period.
A ‘test to be on the safe side’, for example because you wish to visit your vulnerable parents, may give you a false impression that there is no longer any risk and that following the rules is no longer necessary. You can also get infected immediately after the test. In short: a test is only a snapshot and is not a guarantee for the future.
Testing for travel
Some travellers may need to have a test before starting on their journey. This can be done through commercial travel clinics. The GGD does not provide health certificates for international travel. The GGD only tests in case of symptoms.
About the various roles
We receive a lot of questions about the roles of the different parties. The GGD is in direct contact with those who have tested positive and is in touch with them about contact tracing. The GGD also advises organisations on any additional measures that should be taken. In this case, they advised Camelot as the owner and manager of Campus053, as well as the building’s other residents, to take additional precautionary measures.
As a university, we have no direct formal role in this matter, but we do feel a responsibility to assist students and staff affected by this situation where possible and necessary. For example, last Monday we decided to inform the entire UT community about the situation and to point out once again that everyone should maintain social distance and take hygiene measures. We also wrote about the testing options in the case of symptoms.
This specific situation concerns a large-scale residential building on campus, where multiple infections have been detected. We are very much aware of everyone’s concerns, and we are in constant contact with the GGD and Camelot to make sure everyone is fully informed and to offer our assistance if needed.
Privacy
In accordance with Dutch privacy legislation, the GGD Twente does not inform UT about the identity of the students involved. It is therefore up to the individuals themselves to decide whether they wish to disclose their identities to us. We would like to be in contact with these students to hear directly from them how they are doing and whether we can provide them with any kind of support. They may already be in contact with a study advisor or another university employee. Whatever the case, their privacy is assured.
