The Federal Minister of Education and Research, Anja Karliczek, visited the University of Lübeck and the test centre of the Lübeck Corona Longitudinal ELISA study in the Media Docks Lübeck.
Prof. Dr. Christine Klein, Prof. Dr. Alexander Katalinic and Prof. Dr. Jan Rupp, University of Lübeck, presented the ELISA study to the Minister:
The existing uncertainty with regard to a possible increase in the number of infections results from the currently still limited knowledge about the spread, infection pathways and dangerousness of this novel viral disease. In order to close information gaps on infection with the corona virus, scientists from the University of Lübeck and the UKSH have joined forces with the state of Schleswig-Holstein and the city of Lübeck to form a research association and initiated a broad-based longitudinal study. For the first time, the ELISA study provides information on the actual spread of the novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) in a low-prevalence area such as Lübeck, which is subject to a special dynamic during the phase of relaxation due to the fact that it belongs to the Hamburg metropolitan region and is a major tourist destination (> 50,000 tourists/day from all parts of Germany and internationally). More than 3,000 people from the greater Lübeck area – half of them randomly selected from the population and the other half exposed to a higher risk of infection through intensive contact with many other people – regularly provide information about themselves and their everyday life, as well as possible symptoms, via smartphone apps. All persons are examined several times by means of virus PCR for an acute infection or antibody tests for an expired infection. To date, over 9,000 tests have been carried out at the first three points in time (from May). No current infections have been detected, but just under 1 percent of those tested had positive antibodies. The infestation and thus the protection of the population against corona infections can only be described as very low. Nevertheless, the loosening up and the onset of mass tourism with continued hygiene measures have not yet led to an increased incidence of infection in Lübeck and the surrounding area.
Published by the Presidential Board of the University of Lübeck
Information and Press Office, 23538 Lübeck – Photo @ Tim Jelonnek / Universität zu Lübeck
Further reports on this:
Report in the NDR Schleswig-Holstein Magazin from 14.07.2020 (approx. minute 16:35 – 18:30).
https://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/schleswig-holstein_magazin/Schleswig-Holstein-Magazin,sendung1046638.html
Press release of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research dated 14.07.2020:
https://www.bmbf.de/de/karliczek-mit-vielfaeltiger-forschung-gegen-covid-19-12120.html
Announcement of the Süddeutsche Zeitung from 14.07.2020:
Article of LN-Online on the visit of the Minister of 14.07.2020: