1389 students have now tested positive at Northumbria University

Within the last two weeks 1389 students at Northumbria University have tested positive in total, with 619 new cases being reported this week.

It was announced last week that the university had 770 confirmed cases within students on their Newcastle campuses, with this week’s numbers taking active cases to well over a thousand.

It was also confirmed last week that only 78 of the 770 reported cases were symptomatic and the remaining amount were not experiencing traditional COVID-19 symptoms.

The high numbers at Northumbria University have led to calls for the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation, and plans for potential strike action at the uni.

COVID-19 outbreaks have caused Northumbria to move all teaching online, and the neighbouring Newcastle University has followed suit.

A Northumbria University spokesman said: “Today we can confirm that the total number of new cases of Covid-19 self-reported in the last seven days by our students studying at our Newcastle campuses is 619.

“These students are all now self-isolating. Their flatmates and any close contacts are also self-isolating for 14 days in line with government guidance and have been advised to contact NHS119 to book a test as soon as possible should symptoms appear. Those affected live in different student and non-student accommodations.

“We have put in place a self-reporting system to openly encourage staff and students to self-identify if they have been tested positive and to report if they and their close contacts need to self-isolate. This approach is part of our overall plan to proactively and positively manage the health, wellbeing, and safety of our staff and students, and deliver a safe campus experience.

“We are continuing to make extensive efforts to provide support for our students who are self-isolating. By Saturday evening more than 1,800 students will have been supported with access to online concierge services or food parcels delivered by our staff and the Students’ Union, as well as one-to-one contact by our welfare team to identify any other support they may require.”