NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY in Newcastle said on Friday (2) it had been hit by a mass Covid-19 outbreak, with at least 770 students testing positive for the virus.
Nearly 50 British universities have had outbreaks over the past few weeks, forcing students to self-isolate in halls of residence just days after their arrival for the new term.
"As of Friday, we can confirm that we are aware of 770 Northumbria University students who have tested positive for Covid-19, of whom 78 were symptomatic," Andrew Wathey, vice-chancellor of the university, told staff in an email.
"There are a number of reasons people were tested and I want to reassure you that the vast majority of these students are not unwell.
"Their flatmates and any close contacts are also self-isolating for 14 days in line with government guidance and have been advised to contact NHS 119 to book a test as soon as possible should symptoms appear."
A spokesman for the university added that students who break Covid rules "will be subject to fines from police and disciplinary action by the universities which may include fines, final warnings or expulsion".
The University and College Union (UCU) said it had cautioned the university against mass return of students, urging the "university sector and the government" to "address this public health crisis immediately".
"We told Northumbria University they had a civic duty to put the health of staff, students and the local community first and we take no pleasure in now seeing another preventable crisis play out," said Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, which represents lecturers.
"We warned last month that, given the current restrictions in the region, the direction of the infection rate and the problems with test and trace, it was clearly far too soon for a mass return to campus."
A Northumbria employee told PA Media there was "high anxiety levels among staff and students" due to "a sense that the establishment is not listening" to concerns about face-to-face teaching.
"There’s a lot of frustration because almost everything that we deliver face to face could be done much more safely online," the staff member added.
The university's spokesman, however, contended that the spike in positive cases "reflects the good access to and availability of testing, as well as rigorous and robust reporting systems".
"In parts of the UK where universities started term earlier, numbers of student cases surged in induction week, and then reduced," he added.
"Both Northumbria and Newcastle universities have Covid response teams on call that are working closely with NHS Test and Trace, Public Health England North East and the City to identify and get in touch with anyone who has been in close contact with those affected."
The University of Newcastle also reported an increase in infections, with 94 students and seven staff members testing positive.
Across the United Kingdom, the number of cases has risen sharply in recent weeks, prompting tighter restrictions and several local lockdowns.
Britain reported 6,968 new Covid-19 cases on Friday (2), up from Thursday's figure of 6,914 but below the peak of 7,143 given on Tuesday.
There were 66 deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, up from Thursday's level of 59 but lower than numbers earlier in the week.
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