Ziehl-Abegg employee, Lisa Ehret operating the coronavirus hotline at the Department of Health; behind her are Peter Fenkl (left) and Dr Matthias Neth

KÜNZELSAU, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, 23 November 2020: Motor and fan manufacturer, Ziehl-Abegg said it is providing support for the Hohenlohe District Department of Health in the fight against COVID-19. To this end, the company said through a Press release, it 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 praised Ziehl-Abegg’s commitment as a great help, the company said.

“The fight against the pandemic involves us all,” said Peter Fenkl, CEO, 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,” Fenkl said. “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 face shields, which are much in demand.”

Dr Neth said: “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.” 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.

During an on-site visit, Fenkl saw that all windows at the facility are permanently open, leading to thermal discomfort for the employees. Ziehl-Abegg said that Fenkl responded by promising several CO2 detectors, which deliver reliable information on air quality and provide for targeted intermittent ventilation.

Dr Neth, speaking of the support, said, “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.”