Thousands test positive for coronavirus at UK universities

Thousands test positive for coronavirus at UK universities

Newcastle University said 1,003 students and 12 members of staff were confirmed to have been infected with coronavirus in the past week, compared with 94 last Friday. At Northumbria University, there were also 619 new cases and Durham University confirmed 219 cases in students in the last week

Aditi KhannaUpdated: Friday, October 09, 2020, 10:41 PM IST
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Representative image | PIC: AFP

More than 1,800 students and staff from universities across the north-east of England, currently under tougher localised lockdowns, tested positive for coronavirus over the past week.

Newcastle University said 1,003 students and 12 members of staff were confirmed to have been infected with coronavirus in the past week, compared with 94 last Friday. At Northumbria University, there were also 619 new cases and Durham University confirmed 219 cases in students in the last week.

Most universities are planning to switch to online teaching for at least three weeks, except in cases where in-person lessons are essential.

Newcastle University said "the overwhelming majority of cases" were from "social and residential settings" and said appropriate measures were being taken to protect everyone on campus.

Durham University has asked students living in two colleges to remain on campus for the next week following the sharp rise in cases and Northumbria University said it was "continuing to make extensive efforts" to provide support for its self-isolating students with online concierge services or food parcels delivered by staff and the students' union.

Meanwhile, Leeds University said 555 students and three staff members tested positive between September 28 and

October 4.

"We are acutely aware that behind each number is an individual with their own needs and concerns, and ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone is our absolute priority," said the university's Vice Chancellor Professor Simone Buitendijk.

Manchester's two main universities - Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University - had earlier announced suspension of all in-person teaching for the rest of October, with the exemption of a few practical training courses.

Universities UK, the organisation that represents the country's leading universities, published a checklist this week as a guide for universities supporting students who are self-isolating.

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