March 31, 2022
Keio University Infection Response Center for COVID-19
From April 2022, Keio University will begin holding in-person classes with up to 100% classroom capacity, following improvements to university facilities to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, with the sluggish decline in infections in the 6th wave of the pandemic caused by the Omicron variant, a highly infectious variant of the disease with a short incubation period, there is concern that a 7th wave might begin before the previous round of infections have been contained. The move to relax certain general policies in the midst of this situation means that it is imperative that every individual understand the importance of remaining vigilant as they regulate their efforts to prevent infections. We ask for everyone's understanding and cooperation as we prepare for a fully operational campus.
◆ Measures to prevent COVID-19 infections
Students, faculty, and staff members should all continue to observe the three basic guidelines for preventing infections from spreading: "Social Distancing" "Mask Wearing" and "Hand Washing/Hygiene"
Please follow the infection prevention measures listed below as described in the preceding PDF.
1) Do not come to campus if you feel unwell and have a fever or other symptoms reminiscent of COVID-19.
2) Minimize "close contact" activities with high risk of infection as much as possible.
2.1) Wear non-woven masks with high droplet control that appropriately cover both one's mouth and nose as they are fundamental to avoiding close contact transmission.
2.2) You should consider "close contact" to be any interaction in which a person converses or stands within arm's length (approx. 1 meter) while not wearing a mask or is wearing their mask incorrectly by having their nose uncovered, etc.
2.3) Make an effort to eat in silence with renewed awareness that removing masks in order to eat is a high-risk scenario for spreading infection.
- Consider conversations while dining as constituting close contact even if dining partitions have been set up.
- Consider situations when you dine at a table without partitions as constituting close contact, even if those involved refrain from conversation.
2.4) Consider interactions in which those involved are talking loudly at shoulder-to-shoulder distances, as constituting close contact even if everyone involved is wearing masks.
2.5) Consider significant durations of time spent in confined spaces or speaking face-to-face with others, as constituting close contact, even if everyone wears a mask.
3) If you are in situations that can be considered as constituting close contact, make a note of who was involved so that you are able to get in contact with them immediately should someone test positive for COVID-19.
◆ What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
The median time frame for symptoms to appear in a secondary carrier after infection from a primary carrier with the omicron variant is 2.6 days. To prevent COVID-19 infections from spreading further, it is necessary for those who may have become a close contact of someone who has tested positive to self-isolate, refrain from going out, and monitor their health as soon as the primary carrier's infection is confirmed. Those who test positive are requested to immediately get in touch with those they consider close contacts, without waiting for a health center or the Keio University Health Center to conduct a survey.
For specific details, please refer to the following documents.
◆ Preventing infections from spreading through organized activities of student clubs, research groups, laboratories, etc.
Should a student who has participated in organized activities of a student club, etc., test positive for COVID-19, the relevant organization must take immediate steps appropriate to the nature of their activities to prevent the spread of infection, such as temporarily suspending in-person activities.
For specific details, please refer to the following document.
Note that this document is intended to be readbeforean infection is confirmed within a student club. We ask that student clubs be prepared to deal with a positive COVID-19 case should it be discovered, and utilize this guidance to take measures in advance to minimize the spread of infection and facilitate the continuation of club activities. In addition, please give due consideration to students who wish to opt out of participating in club activities in order to avoid risks associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, student clubs should refrain from creating an atmosphere of mandatory participation in activities or mandatory vaccination in order to be eligible to engage in club activities.
◆ Reporting to the Keio University Health Center and the "Permission of Return to Campus Interview"
For the following situations, please make a report through the following webpage:
Keio University Health Center website
The Health Center will contact you if necessary.
1) If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19
→ "COVID-19 Home-Quarantine"
2) If you display symptoms after being in a close contact interaction*
→ "COVID-19 Home-Quarantine"
* Undergraduate and graduate students do not need to file a report at this stage with the Keio
University Health Center if they are not experiencing any symptoms. After 7 days of home isolation, you will be allowed to return to campus (faculty and staff members must file a report).
3) If you test positive for COVID-19
→ "Report an Infectious Disease"
After submitting a report to the Keio University Health Center, please contact the Health Center and undergo a "Permission of Return to Campus Interview" before returning to the university.