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News Reports 1 October 2020.

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29 September 2020: Birmingham City Uni UCU report “our understanding was 12 cases as of mid-last week.” Tweet.

30 September 2020: University of Edinburgh: “We have a total of 117 live cases reported to us as of today amongst our students and staff.” University of Edinburgh. Archive.

1 October 2020: University of Edinburgh: “We have a total of 154 live cases reported to us as of today amongst our students and staff.” University of Edinburgh. Archive.

30 September 2020: “A total of 82 cases of Covid-19 have now been identified at Aberdeen University – a rise of 38 from yesterday.” The Northern Scot.

30 September 2020: NHS Tayside confirm 74 cases at Parker House (used by Abertay and Dundee university students) and 24 at Abertay’s Meadowside. NHS Tayside.

30 September 2020: University of Sheffield announce 65 new cases amongst students. Uni of Sheffield tracker.

30 September 2020: Hull University now has three cases. Source: Internal circular email.

30 September 2020: University of South Wales: “As of 1.30pm today, Wednesday, September 30, we have been informed by six students, who have attended campus, that they have tested positive for Covid-19,” a spokesperson said. “A further two students, who have not been to campus, have also notified us of positive test results. These are not clustered around any particular group, course or location.” Wales Online. University statement. Archive.

30 September 2020: University of the Highlands and Islands: “Three students returned positive tests at Perth College UHI following a face-to-face learning class resulting in six students and three staff members being forced to self-isolate at home.” The Courier.

1 October 2020: Queen’s University, Belfast: “A Queen’s spokeswoman said a small number of students living in its accommodation had tested positive for Covid-19.” University further makes the bizarre statement ““The evidence is that transmission is occurring in social settings as opposed to on-campus education environments.” Irish News. (Note: the number was given as 30 positive cases on the 28 September 2020. BBC.)

1 October 2020: Strathclyde UCU report 49 cases. Tweet.

1 October 2020: Bournemouth University: “Bournemouth University has confirmed a “small number” of its students have coronavirus.” Bournemouth Echo.

1 October 2020: University of York: “As of this morning, we have 16 active positive cases in our University community.” University statement.

1 October 2020: University of Manchester: “Manchester student and parent anger at ‘Fallowfield Covid soup’ as infection rate soars among young people.” Most flats on UoM Fallowfield Campus now isolating. Manchester Evening News.

1 October 2020: University of Manchester launches a Covid Case Tracker. For the 29th September, 129 students and 1 member of staff tested positive.

1 October 2020: Keele University: Keele UCU mention “the confirmation of positive cases registered amongst Keele students” in their letter to the Vice Chancellor. Keele UCU.

1 October 2020: “An ‘alarming’ number of students at the University of Exeter are testing positive for coronavirus, the council has said. …. The exact number has not been confirmed, but it is believed that there at least 60 student houses of multiple occupation off campus that are self-isolating, in addition to others in halls of residence.” Devon Live.

1 October 2020: Leeds University: Numerous students complain on a Labour leader Q&A about poor conditions in housing and no reporting of covid cases by Leeds University. Twitter thread. Wonkhe write-up.

1 October 2020: Leeds University: “Self-isolating Leeds students left without food and told to wash clothes in the sink.” Daily Mirror.

Current tally:

65 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
45 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
13 in Scotland.
6 in Wales.

News reports, 29 September 2020.

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28 September 2020: “A University of Sussex spokesperson said: “We currently have confirmed reports of a small number (single digits) of cases amongst our University community. As well as the students who are positive, all of their housemates are also now in self-isolation, as per the Government guidance.”” Brighton and Hove News. University Statement.

28 September 2020: University of Gloucestershire: “An email sent by university staff to students at the weekend confirmed there was “a small number of confirmed cases” of coronavirus at the Pittville Student Village.” Gloucestershire Live.

28 September 2020: University of Reading student self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. Berkshire Live.

28 September 2020: University of Swansea: “Twenty-two students at Swansea University have now been confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus – almost double the number confirmed last week. The university, which has two campuses in the city, confirmed on Monday that it had been informed of an additional ten cases among its students, following last week’s confirmation that 12 students had tested positive for the virus.” Wales Online.

28 September 2020: University of Edinburgh: The university states “There are currently 55 positive cases among our student and staff population, all of whom are self-isolating.” University of Edinburgh. Archived.

29 September 2020: Self-isolating Edinburgh students ‘going hungry’ as food delivered late. Students in isolation at Edinburgh University have complained they are ‘going hungry’ as food delivered to catered accommodation arrives late or violates their religious dietary requirements. Edinburgh News.

28 September 2020: Birmingham City University: It’s reported that five students at Birmingham City University are self-isolating after one of them tested positive for Covid-19. ITV.

28 September 2020: Aston University says the number of confirmed cases of the virus (as of Thursday 24 September) for both staff and students are in single figures. ITV. Birmingham Live.

28 September 2020: University of Sunderland: “The email from the VC today announcing: “A number of people in our University community have tested positive for Covid-19. As at Monday 28 September, this includes 40 students & four staff.”” Source: UCU Northern Region on Twitter. Chronicle.

28 September 2020: St Andrews: “NHS Fife has confirmed that the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 associated with St Andrews University has now risen to 25. The Fife health board confirmed an additional four cases of COVID-19 which brings the total number of confirmed cases to 25 since September 1. The cases involve both students and members of University staff.” The Courier.

28 September 2020: University of Dundee: “52 combined cases at Abertay University and the University of Dundee.” Sky.

28 September 2020: “NHS Tayside said there were now 68 cases at Parker House – a private accommodation which is home to first year students at Dundee and Abertay Universities – and 16 cases at the Abertay University’s Meadowside Halls.” The Scotsman.

27 September 2020: University of Essex: “A “cluster” of coronavirus cases have been linked to a university’s elite and junior sports programmes. The University of Essex said a “small number” of staff and students had tested positive and are self-isolating. ” BBC. University statement.

28 September 2020: “Essex University confirms five people tested positive for Covid-19.” Gazette News.

28 September 2020: Royal Holloway University: “Royal Holloway students alerted of positive coronavirus case in university community.” Source: BBC Radio Surrey on Twitter. Surrey Live.

28 September 2020: “An individual from the Royal Holloway community has confirmed that they have contracted coronavirus (Covid-19). The individual is self-isolating and we wish them a speedy recovery.” University statement.

28 September 2020: Brunel University: 4 confirmed student cases, 2 on-campus, 2 off-campus accomodation. Source: Internal communication.

28 September 2020: “UP TO 10 students at a York university have tested positive for coronavirus, the university has confirmed. York St John University is one of 40 universities across the UK that has recorded cases of coronavirus. A spokesman for the university said: “Since the beginning of term on 21 September, York St John University has reported fewer than 10 positive COVID 19 cases amongst staff and students. ” All cases are unconnected and do not constitute an outbreak. Close contacts have been informed and are isolating accordingly.”” York Press.

25 September 2020: University of Strathclyde: “As of today, we have received fewer than 15 reports of positive Covid-19 cases.” University statement.

28 September 2020: Bath Spa University: “So you are aware and can feel reassured, I can tell you that as of today we are aware of 3 confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the University community and a number of households are isolating as a result.” Source: internal email.

29 September 2020: University of Southampton: “The University of aware of four confirmed cases of Covid-19 amongst our students.” Source: Internal email.

29 September 2020: University of East Anglia: “Two students at the University of East Anglia have tested positive for Covid-19. The university said one lives on campus, the other off campus.” ITV. Eastern Daily Press.

29 September 2020: University of Nottingham: Sky report confirmed cases, but no further details, because:

“Some universities have been told not to release the number of cases by public health officials.

A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham told Sky News: “Regional Public Health England is currently asking us not to release institutional data for a couple of reasons – they are keen not to confuse their formal weekly data releases but they are also mindful of undermining the message that in the East Midlands, COVID-19 is affecting all demographics and so all demographics should have responsibility to protect health and follow the rules.””

Sky.

29 September 2020: University of Sheffield launch the first Covid Dashboard for a UK university. “As of today (Tuesday 29 September) we are aware of three active confirmed staff cases and 36 active confirmed student cases of Covid-19.” Sheffield University Covid Dashboard.

29 September 2020: Sky report 45 universities have confirmed covid cases, with another 2 (unnamed) having suspected cases.

Current tally:

54 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
38 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
12 in Scotland.
3 in Wales.

News Reports 28 September 2020.

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26 September 2020: “The University of Edinburgh have confirmed an outbreak of coronavirus at Pollock Halls student accommodation. The number of confirmed cases is “small,” and anyone who has tested positive so far has been in contact with NHS Test and Protect. Some of the positive tests are in Holland House, but it is not yet known if there are any positive tests elsewhere in Pollock or which block of Holland they are in.” The Tab.

26 September 2020: Exeter University: “More than half of the COVID-19 cases in Devon are linked to Exeter Uni There have been 58 cases reported in the last seven days.” The Tab.

27 September 2020: Birmingham City University: A student has tested positive, according to BBC Politics Midlands. Tweet of extract of program.

27 September 2020: Manchester Met: “All lectures, seminars and classes for first and foundation year students at Manchester Metropolitan University will be online for the next 14 days after a Covid-19 oubreak. As reported, the situation has led to around 1,500 students being told not to leave two university halls of residence for two weeks, unless it’s an emergency. There have been 137 positive cases in a matter of weeks linked to Birley campus on Bonsall Street and Cambridge Hall on Cavendish Street.” Manchester Evening News.

28 September 2020: Queen’s University Belfast: “Some students in Queen’s University halls of residence in Belfast have been told to self-isolate after a “small number” tested positive for Covid-19. A spokesperson for Queen’s said “robust protocols” were in place to minimise further spread. However, the exact number of students asked to self-isolate has not been specified by the university.” BBC. 4.20pm: Report updated to say: “About 100 students in Queen’s University halls of residence in Belfast have been told to self-isolate after 30 people tested positive for Covid-19.”

28 September 2020: Aberystwyth University: “Aberystwyth University suspends face to face teaching after students test positive for Covid-19.” Nation Cymru.

28 September 2020: University of Chester. “A ‘small number’ of coronavirus cases have been confirmed at the University of Chester. In a statement released by the university today, the university confirmed that ‘a small number’ of people had reported symptoms of the virus and were self-isolating, with ‘one or two’ cases confirmed.” Cheshire Live.

Current tally:

41 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
27 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
10 in Scotland.
3 in Wales.

Confidential Reports, 23 September 2020.

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So far I have received reports, made confidentially, of covid-19 outbreaks at five universities:

Birmingham: at least one positive test.

Exeter: confirmed on Streatham Campus, awaiting results of tests on Penryn campus. This has now been reported via Devon Live and ITV.

Newcastle University: 22 students and 8 staff have tested positive. Confirmed through recording of University meeting.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: One student tested positive in the halls of residence. Now confirmed by Edinburgh live.

Queen Mary University, London. Multiple cases.

University of Kent, Canterbury. Two confirmed cases. Now confirmed by Kent Online.

Additionally, I have been informed that the outbreak at Manchester Metropolitan is worse than reported, or declared by the university, and that cleaning practices at Sunderland University are not as described by the Vice Chancellor.

Many thanks to those who have contacted us.

Updated 24 September 2020: We regret we cannot take any more private tips. We do not have the resources to follow them up, and we cannot afford to make mistakes on such a serious matter. See this post ‘Mea Culpa’ for a longer explanation.

if you know of an unreported outbreak, or are concerned about working conditions, in your university, contact your union!