More than 1,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed at UoB

Another 126 UoB students tested positive within the past seven days


Every Wednesday UoB have been updating their webpage with the university’s weekly coronavirus figures, this week alone another 126 students tested positive within the past seven days and 15 university staff members.

This includes 48 students who have been on campus two days prior to symptoms or a positive test.

These latest figures now move the University of Birmingham up to over 1,000 coronavirus cases since term started at the end of September.

The current situation at UoB has involved the university making the decision in the past week to postpone winter graduation ceremonies for students which were due to take place in December at the university.

Instead the graduation ceremonies will be taking place virtually from the week commencing Monday 7th December for the class of 2020.

The university also made the decision this week to move most end of semester one exams online due to the current outbreak of coronavirus. The exams will now take place online from 9-23 January 2021, to keep students and staff at the university safe.

The university’s 1,000 cases has increased university staff concerns, with some of them requesting for all teaching to be online to prevent further outbreaks.

The rise in cases at UoB follows a similar trend nationally as Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to increase restrictions. As another 24,701 cases and 310 deaths were recorded in the UK, within the last 24 hours. 

Birmingham and Selly Oak, the student hub remains under Tier two restrictions meaning students are banned from socialising in indoor venues such as pubs and bars with people outside their household. Also, students are still unable to visit other people’s households under these restrictions.

Guidance and advice for students at the university concerned about the current coronavirus outbreak can be found here.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

•UoB confirms online teaching for semester one and a reduction in course modules 

•UoB is planning for students to return as normal despite the new Birmingham COVID-19 restrictions

•Every Brum student will be getting a UoB-branded face mask in September