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The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung and the FAIR GmbH (GSI/FAIR) uses its research potential and unique infrastructure to contribute to the management of the current corona pandemic. In several areas at GSI/FAIR, scientists are working to provide new insights and technologies that may help to fight the corona virus SARS-CoV-2. In cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, methods for virus inactivation are being tested. These inactivated viruses are used for vaccine development. To this aim, the accelerators and laboratories on the Darmstadt campus are also being used. The laboratory is operational, while strictly abiding to safety regulations.

Researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and the Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) are modelling the further course of the epidemic, taking into account various scenarios for relaxing the ban on contact and making recommendations.

Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig are simulating the effect of various conditions on the development of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Germany. Their results suggest that the restrictions in social life are effective and that a further slowing of the spread is possible. In order to protect the health system from overload, they urgently warn against easing the restrictions already now. They have published their preliminary results, which have not yet been peer-reviewed, on a preprint server for quick scientific use.

An interdisciplinary group of renowned scientists - among them Prof Gérard Krause, head of the Department Epidemiology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig - is now calling for the current restrictions in society and the economy to be gradually eased, while ensuring medical care for the entire population.

The Covid-19 pandemic affects more and more countries worldwide. Since the virus causes no or only mild symptoms in many infected people, researchers assume that the number of unreported cases is high. In order to slow down the further spread of the virus, health authorities are focusing on consistent management of contact persons of confirmed cases of infection. For this purpose, the German Public Health Service (ÖGD) will be able to use a special version of the SORMAS disease control app in the future.