COVID-19: a game-changer for higher education environment at Coimbra Health School

On March 4, in compliance with the Ministers' Offices determination, Coimbra Health School created the Emerging Infections Control Committee, aiming to fulfil the preparation of a contingency plan.

Several measures have been taken: hand rub formulation was produced and made available also a disinfecting footbath mat was placed at the entrances. Cleaning of the surfaces of frequent hand contact was reinforced and ventilation of all spaces was promoted. The negative pressure ventilation system in classrooms and offices has also been adapted. Simultaneously, cafeteria activities were cancelled and the use of employees biometric control. Suspension of the classroom activity was determined, on March 13, teleworking regime and closure of the campus (March 16). On March 18 the Government declared the emergency state. This ends on May 2, and academic activities were reactivated exclusively for the practical classes, with a previous serological testing campaign carried out for all the academic community involved. Exceptional measures were taken, namely the mandatory use of PPE, implementation of barrier methods in the classrooms and public attendance spots and the definition of circulation circuits. For the beginning of the academic year three scenarios have been outlined: first (50% of students, a minimum distance of 1 meter between students and 2 meters from the teacher); second (more restrictive, 30% of the students in the class, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between students and 2 meters from the teacher) and third (lockdown). A hybrid-operating model was adopted, conditioned by the capacity of each space, combining face-to-face and on-line activities, assuming the simultaneousness and the alternation of students groups. The “mirror classes” were applied, with the definition of “bubble classes”, to prevent extended/break chains of contagion. The local health authority validates all measures.

Currently, in Portugal, the level of alert has been increased for a calamity state.