Fraunhofer ITWM vs. Corona

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the incidence of infection was investigated using wastewater analyses and the representative cohort study »SentiSurv«. The data obtained provides valuable insights for the early detection of waves of infection and the development of targeted health prevention measures.

With the beginning of autumn, COVID 19 infections are on the rise. The »Tagesschau« article takes a closer look at the current situation. In addition, our research is highlighted and our employee »Jan Mohring« is quoted.

An Article Concerning this Topic can be Found in Our Annual Report 2021/22; Download as PDF:

The pandemic confronted Germany's public health departments with major challenges. Help also came from mathematics: Together with partners, we used statistical modeling to support the health offices in the multitude of decisions that had to be made on a daily basis. Now the »EsteR« project is coming to an end and we can present some exciting results and tools – tools that will also be relevant in the future.

The Corona pandemic seems to be disappearing from our everyday lives and minds, and with it the masks from our faces. It feels like only half of the people still wear a mask in the supermarket. So today our blogging colleagues are asking the question: What good are masks that are hardly worn any more?

[Only available in German]

Do several Corona rapid tests in a row increase the reliability of the result? In one of the last blog posts, we cautiously approached this question. Now we want to close this gap. Because tests are not really independent of each other, but show correlations. But how can such correlations play out?

[only available in German] With the help of mathematical models, our researchers can look a few weeks into the future of the pandemic.

In this episode of the Fraunhofer Podcast, they not only explain how to use mathematics to build a pandemic glass sphere, but also answer the question of when the pandemic will finally be over.

[only available in German]

Omicron continues to spread. Nevertheless, the increase in incidence numbers may soon come to a halt: PCR testing capacity is approaching its limit – and so is the incidence that can theoretically be measured at all. Expert Dr. Jan Mohring deals with this dark figure and gives insights to hessenschau:

»EsteR« uses mathematics and AI to help health departments make decisions. The predecessor is the »CorASIV« project.

What is the current situation in schools and daycare centers? Can the facilities stay open this winter? Our colleague Dr. Jan Mohring answered these and other questions yesterday in the »Forschung aktuell« on Deutschlandfunk radio. You can listen to and read the interview.

[only available in German]

Soziale Kontakte wieder reduzieren, das empfiehlt das RKI und darum bitten Intensivmediziner:innen. Was Expert:innen für zehn Alltagssituationen in diesem Corona-Winter raten, hat das RND RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland nachgefragt. Unsere Institutsleiterin Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel hat geantwortet.

This question is now becoming more important as fall approaches. Efficient indoor air purification is essential, especially in schools. Fraunhofer researchers are investigating and optimizing various filter and air purification techniques in the AVATOR project. We are in the project consortium.

In our podcast, we already talked about how vaccine effectiveness is calculated. Millions of people have now been vaccinated, and there is new data. Shouldn't we know better now how effective vaccination is?

The third wave of the Corona pandemic is considered to be broken. Researchers at Fraunhofer ITWM have used the EpideMSE software to mathematically analyze the effects that different measures had in combating the pandemic. 

[Only available in German]

During the Corona pandemic, all sorts of statistical measures emerge to map the development. Sometimes the R-value is the measure of all things, then the 7-day incidence. It happens that measures that are supposed to mean the same thing show different trends. How can this be?

[Only available in German]

From gargle to spit to lollipop tests, in this episode our podcast »Streuspanne« is dedicated to numbers and statistics around the topic of Corona self-tests. How reliable are they? Are there any studies on the subject? How should they be interpreted?

[Only available in German]

Corona Vaccination statistics – a huge topic everywhere! To bring light into the darkness, our blogging statisticians Sascha Feth and Jochen Fiedler discuss this topic with Esther Packullat in the first episode of the new podcast »Streuspanne – Statistik und ihre Kuriositäten«.

In the project "AVATOR" – Anti-Virus Aerosol: Testing, Operation, Reduction, we are collaborating with several Fraunhofer institutes to investigate ways of reducing the risk of infection by aerosol-borne viruses in enclosed rooms. 

How much lockdown will a society tolerate? Together with six other scientists, our institute director Antia Schöbel outlines a plan against pandemic and polarization.

[Only available in German]

What's the connection between lottery booths, mutant Corona viruses, and Donald (yes, we're actually talking about the duck these days)? More about this in the new blogpost of the Streuspanne. 

A vaccine against Covid-19 is expected soon. How many vaccine doses are available? Who should be vaccinated first? Where should people be vaccinated? How many doctors are needed for vaccination? Our researchers have examined the last questions together with the RKI and TUK.

In the Fraunhofer project "CorASIV", everything revolves around the »support of health authorities in corona response through analysis, simulation and visualization«. We contribute our mathematical expertise especially to the development of an app.

Since the end of May, there has been speculation about when the second corona wave will arrive in Germany. Now it seems to be here. What makes a second wave? And what do the math and statistics say? Our statistics blog Streuspanne takes time for a small, sober look at the bare numbers. Afterwards, you'll be flashy-thinged. (only available in german)

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the economy hard. What lessons can be learned from this experience? And what’s the best way for companies to protect themselves against this kind of crisis in the future? Our new mathematical methods aim to calculate how the risks posed by supply shortages can be reduced significantly at very little extra cost.

In the new podcast series »Fraunhofer heads against Corona« Fraunhofer researchers report on their work and projects against the pandemic. Our institute director Anita Schöbel and our colleague Sascha Feth are involved and are among the interviewees. Of course with corona research and Mathematics.

»In order to better assess the overall situation in the corona crisis, we also need the boldness of applied mathematics.«

How long can you wear a protection mask? When will you have to change a soaked mask? Researchers of the Fraunhofer ITWM tackle these question using mathematical models and computer simulations. It is important to take into account not only the type of mask and the filter material, but also the physical stress level and personal features of the wearer.

In order to support local decision makers (health authorities, hospitals and especially municipalities) in planning their actions, researchers of the Fraunhofer ITWM are working on the epidemiological modeling, simulation and decision support of Covid-19  within the framework of the Fraunhofer Society's Anti-Corona Program (project name EpiDeMSE).

From 20 to 22 March 2020, the German government called for a hackathon under the heading #WirVsVirus. During one weekend, solutions were to be developed to help overcome the current challenges of the Corona crisis. Researchers from the Fraunhofer ITWM took part in the hackathon, in particular in three projects:

On the website "Fraunhofer vs. Corona" the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft presents the activities of all institutes.

Anita Schöbel talks in an interview about the developments at the ITWM with regard to the corona crisis, new projects and the current work at the institute: