Statement of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice on Coronavirus COVID -19 Infection of 28 February 2020
UPJŠ is aware of the severity of the COVID – 19 coronavirus infection. UPJS management also supports student and employee mobility, but considers their health to be paramount in the implementation of that mobility, therefore it discussed the current situation and implementation of the COVID – 19 coronavirus spread at the extended meeting of the UPJŠ Rector’s Board on 24 February 2020 , with the appointment of he UPJŠ Vice-Rector, Prof. MUDr. Pavol Jarčuška, PhD., who is an infectologist, by coordinating further steps and measures.
UPJŠ has top-class units that can comprehensively assess and solve the situation in relation to coronavirus COVID – 19 – the UPJŠ FM Clinic of Infectology and Travel Medicine and the LPUH Institute of Epidemiology, and the UPJŠ FM Institute of Medical and Clinical Microbiology. These workplaces can provide each student and employee with the necessary consultation.
Based on an analysis of the current development of the situation, the UPJŠ management issues the following recommendations for UPJŠ students and employees.
A. Full-time international students
Students from China, Hong Kong, Thai, Southeast Asian countries, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy (Lombardy, Veneto)
1. In the case of a stay in the region with a high risk of coronavirus COVID -19 after returning to Košice at UPJŠ:
– if the student is free of temperatures and signs of respiratory infection (upper or lower), the student shall remain isolated for 14 days at home.
– in case of symptoms of respiratory tract infection, the symptoms of which are fever, cough, sorethroat, headache, chills, ,immediately contact the UPJŠ FM and LPUH Clinic of Infectology and Travel Medicine at +421 55 615 2202 or send an e-mail to corona-virus@upjs.sk
2. If the student with the symptoms listed above is in his/her home country, we recommend that the student stay in that country and contact the health authorities of that country that have a designated way to manage coronavirus infection. Returning after a 14-day quarantine at the place of residence or negative coronavirus evidence is considered to be the optimal time for the student to return. Information on such quarantine and the results of the COVID -19 coronavirus test will be announced by the student at the Study Department of the relevant Faculty and at the e-mail address corona-virus@upjs.sk
3. UPJŠ undertakes to provide these students with an adjustment of their timetable so that they can complete the semester in due time
4. A stay in the COVID – 19 low coronavirus region does not require specific measures. If the above symptoms occur, the student may send an e-mail to corona-virus@upjs.sk.
5. A stay in the COVID – 19 coronavirus-free region does not require specific measures.
B. ERASMUS students from abroad
As Slovakia is currently a coronavirus COVID -19-free country, there is no threat of infection to students who have been present in Slovakia for the last 14 days. However, UPJŠ will not negatively assess/sanction students who decide to return to their home university. If necessary, the student may send an e-mail to corona-virus@upjs.sk
If the student is from China, Hong Kong, Thai, Southeast Asian countries, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy (Lombardy, Veneto), the measures listed in point A1 shall apply.
C. Slovak students on ERASMUS programmes abroad
– Students in the regions of Lombardy and Venice in Italy are advised to return to Slovakia and follow point A1. If they have been quarantined during ERASMUS exchange stay or have been tested for the presence of coronavirus COVID – 19, they will notify the Study Department of the relevant Faculty and at the same time at the e-mail address corona-virus@upjs.sk
– students from other EU regions are not at increased risk of COVID – 19 infection, but UPJŠ allows students to return home without sanctions. In the event of their return, they shall proceed in accordance with A4 or A5.
– UPJŠ undertakes to provide these students with an adjustment of the timetable so that they can complete the semester in due time.
D. Students and staff planning official trips and participating in ERASMUS projects
– Participation in new ERASMUS exchanges and missions to China, Hong Kong, Thai-Taiwan, South-East Asia, South Korea, Japan Iran, and Italy (Lombardy, Veneto) may not currently be undertaken
– Participation in new ERASMUS projects and missions to countries where coronavirus COVID – 19 has occurred (and not mentioned above) is recommended to be carefully considered. Participation in ERASMUS programmes and missions in these countries is recommended only in the case of urgent serious study and work duties.
– Participation in ERASMUS projects and missions to countries where COVID – 19 was absent is currently unrestricted
– If the employee is currently at a high risk of COVID -19 coronavirus infection, s/he shall proceed according to par. A1. If the employee has been quarantined during a business trip or has been negatively tested for the presence of coronavirus COVID – 19, he/she shall notify the Dean of the relevant Faculty or the head of the University unit and at the same time at corona-virus@upjs.sk
– It is not possible to travel for a stay abroad – participation of foreign experts at UPJŠ of researchers and teachers from to China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Japan Iran, and Italy (Lombardy, Veneto)
– Carrying out the stay of foreign experts from countries with a low incidence of coronavirus should be carefully considered
E. UPJŠ students and employees who have been staying in Slovakia for a long time and do not plan a business trip
– Information on measures necessary to prevent the risk of coronavirus infection and other respiratory diseases is available on the website of the Public Health Authority of the SR, which is continuously updated
– Data on the current epidemiological situation in Europe may be ac cessed at the website of the European Centre for Disease Control. At the same time, a useful management manual for persons with confirmed or potential contact with coronavirus COVID 19
– Data on the current epidemiological situation in the world may be accessed at the World Health Organization
– At the same time, UPJŠ recommends vaccination against pneumococci to all employees over 59 years of age and to all employees and students with immune disorders. Secondary pneumococcal infection may be one of the causes of pneumonia in the case of coronavirus infection, which can lead to severe deterioration or death. Vaccination for these risk groups is fully covered by health insurance and is carried out by general practitioners.
Hot line: 0948 283 203
E-mail: corona-virus@upjs.sk
