Dear YNU Students, Faculty Members, and Administrative Staffs,

July 21, 2021

UMEHARA Izuru

President

Yokohama National University

Kanagawa Prefecture saw a surge in new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and on July 14, the number exceeded the Stage IV level, regarded as the standard for issuing a state of emergency. The hospital bed occupancy rate currently remains at the Stage III level; however, because a shortage of beds can be anticipated by the end of the month if the present situation continues, the Kanagawa Prefectural Government issued its own state of emergency on July 16, requiring a strengthening of measures against the pandemic. YNU also received a request for cooperation in thoroughly implementing basic infection control measures.

Ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a four-day weekend, summer vacation, and the obon holidays, a sharp increase in new cases is pointed out, and moreover, they are rapidly being replaced by the highly contagious Delta variant, in Tokyo and its three neighboring prefectures (Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa). Although cases of infection and the numbers of critically ill patients have dropped among the elderly thanks to vaccination, the figures are rising among other generations coupled with fears of severe illness or serious aftereffects among youths.

Owing to the tremendous efforts of our students, faculty members, and administrative staffs, we at YNU have not confirmed a spread of infections on campus so far. In the light of infections within the community and the succession of upcoming events and functions, however, we cannot afford to be too optimistic. At present, classes and extracurricular activities may be conducted in person while taking sufficient care to prevent the spread of infections, according to Phase 1.5 of the “YNU Action Plans to Prevent the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus”. A sudden switch to online classes is possible, however, in the event of an abrupt change for the worse in the situation, for example, should an increase in cases or a cluster be identified on campus, or in order to comply with a strong request from the local government. Similarly, note that a switch may be necessary to hold the final exams online.

I ask our students, faculty members, and administrative staffs anew to continue your efforts to prevent a spread of infections* to be prepared for a sudden change in the method of conducting classes and testing, and to keep checking the YNU website for the latest information.


* For information, please refer to the following documents.
• Measures against the Infection Spread of the Novel Coronavirus (the Sixteenth Report), April 23, 2021
• Yokohama National University Infection Prevention Guidelines for In-person Classes (For Students), March 16, 2021
• Yokohama National University Infection Prevention Guidelines for In-person Classes (For Teachers), March 16, 2021
• “Points of consideration on measures against COVID-19 during summer vacation,” Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), July 16, 2021 (in Japanese)