Concerning the Status of COVID-19 Infections at Akita International University

As has already been reported in the news, five Akita International University students became infected with COVID-19 after attending the dance event in Akita City that has since been declared a cluster event. We are deeply sorry for the significant trouble and worry this has caused to the community.

On Wednesday, June 23, when the first student infection was discovered, the university transitioned immediately to online courses and closed the campus to outside visitors. We also directed all students residing on campus to self-quarantine in their rooms.
Additionally, in cooperation with the Akita City Public Health Center, we undertook additional measures to prevent further infection, including identifying close contacts and contacts (hereinafter “Contacts”), having all Contacts undertake PCR tests, and transporting all infected students to designated medical facilities.

As of Saturday, June 26, five students were determined to have been infected with COVID-19, so the university elevated its Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to the highest level, level 5, and implemented maximum possible infection risk prevention measures.
However, since Sunday, June 27,

All infected persons have been transported to medical facilities in the city and none remain on campus,
All Contacts have been quarantined in individual rooms so they will not have contact with others,
No new infections have been confirmed,
All facilities used by infected students and Contacts have undergone disinfection,

so, after deliberation at the COVID-19 Emergency Headquarters meeting held on Monday, June 28, it was decided to lower the BCP level to level 4 (level 3 for use of facilities, only). Under this level, restrictions for student, faculty and staff members’ activities are as follows:

Classes are held online, only, and faculty will teach from off-campus, in principle.
All Contacts who had negative PCR test results are to remain in Self-Quarantine through to Wednesday, June 7, inclusive, in their rooms or apartments.
The restriction on commuter students entering campus will remain in place through Wednesday, July 7.
For all other students, the Self-Quarantine directive is rescinded as of Monday, June 28 and students may use designated facilities on campus such as the library.

Although the university has lowered the BCP level, we remain conscious that highly infectious variants of COVID-19 with increased risk of serious symptoms may be around us at any time and will continue to practice thorough infection risk prevention countermeasures as described in the “Akita International University COVID-19 Infection Risk Reduction Guidelines (Second Edition)” and university announcements, so we would humbly like to ask for the continued patience and understanding of the community.

For more information on AIU’s COVID-19 Response

Please see our dedicated COVID-19 response page for the most up-to-date information.

Monte CASSIM, President
Akita International University