Künzelsau-based industrial company lends personnel and commits to supply CO2 detectors.

November 2020 – The motor and fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg is providing support for the Hohenlohe District Department of Health in the fight against Covid-19. To this end, the company has sent three employees who are being deployed in the coronavirus ward in the former Künzelsau hospital where cases are identified and the coronavirus hotline is operated. District Administrator Dr Matthias Neth praises Ziehl-Abegg's commitment as a great help. 

“The fight against the pandemic involves us all,” says Peter Fenkl, CEO of Ziehl-Abegg. The district of Hohenlohe became a national hotspot for infections in the spring and a number of Ziehl-Abegg employees were quarantined or fell ill. “We recognised just how important the work of the Department of Health is,” recalls Fenkl. At the time, the company responded quickly by helping with the supply of protective equipment: FFP2 masks for the central test site as well as the face shields which are much in demand; either produced from the 3D printer or machined on tools in the training workshop. Ziehl-Abegg also sent a small thank you for the Öhringer hospital staff – 250 chocolate Easter bunnies.

“The procedure for identifying those who have been in contact with infected persons must be quick and meticulous; the information must also be transmitted speedily and on a consistent basis,” says District Administrator Dr Matthias Neth. Since August, the coronavirus ward of Hohenlohe District has been working in several teams in the former hospital in Künzelsau on case identification and staffing the hotline. “When we read in the newspaper that numerous departments of health were complaining about a lack of dedicated and suitable staff, we contacted the District Administrator,” explains Fenkl. This came as a happy surprise to Dr Neth who gladly accepted the offer. The District Administrator believes that two specific characteristics are necessary for potential staff: an ability to learn quickly and strong communication skills.

Lisa Ehret, Isabel Joos and Marcel Nohe have now been working in the coronavirus team since November. “There really was a lot of information to process,” says Nohe. Normally, the dual student would currently be involved in international controlling. “Being deployed in the Department of Health is an exciting and new experience,” says Nohe. Together with his colleagues, he received two days’ introductory training and now answers questions about quarantine, state laws and COVID-19 in general. Nohe continues: “If there’s something we don't know we can easily call on expert support from the professionals in the neighbouring room.”

During the on-site visit with CEO Fenkl, Dr Neth emphasised: “Your offer was unusual and very helpful.” Not least since the young people are very committed and capable. The three are part of the coronavirus ward which includes ten active Bundeswehr [German Army] soldiers. During the on-site visit, CEO Fenkl saw that all windows are permanently open, and it was a little cool for the employees. That’s why he has promised several CO2 detectors which deliver reliable information on air quality and provide for targeted intermittent ventilation. Dr Neth is pleased to receive any qualified support from the region’s companies. Dr Neth: “If we all work together to help each other – as we do in the District of Hohenlohe – we can do even more to combat the spread of the coronavirus.”