Tag Archives: London

News Reports, 14 October 2020.

Universities newly added.

13 October 2020: Imperial College start releasing numbers. From 28 September to 12 October, they report 19 students and fewer than 5 staff testing positive.

News Reports.

14 October 2020: Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh: Less than 5 students on campus  have tested positive. Source: Internal communication.

9 October 2020: University of Roehampton: “We can confirm that six of our students (2 of whom live in halls of residence) have now tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently self-isolating.” Source: internal communication.

14 October 2020: Salford University: “Since the new term started on September 28, at least 307 students have tested positive for coronavirus, the University of Salford has confirmed.” Manchester Evening News.

University Released Numbers

14 October 2020: Cambridge start a dashboard: Total individual cases isolating due to confirmed COVID-19, 5-11 October: 1 staff, 33 students.

13 October 2020: Canterbury Christ Church: Total number of cases since the start of the academic year: 29. Reported cases Monday 5 October to Monday October 12: 10.

13 October 2020: Harper-Adams: Two new cases. Total number: 3 students.

14 October 2020: Harper-Adams: Five new cases. Total number: 8 students.

13 October 2020: Queen Mary University, London: “We currently have 16 active cases of Covid-19 among students, and 2 among staff.”

14 October 2020: Royal Holloway: “As of Tuesday 13 October, there are 23 students and no members of staff who are currently self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).”

12 October 2020: University of Sheffield’s latest numbers: 960 students and 12 staff testing positive, 28 September to 12 October.

13 October 2020: Southampton start releasing numbers: 19 active student cases, no staff cases.

Current tally:

113 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
91 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
14 in Scotland.
7 in Wales.

As at 9am 14 October 2020, our data puts the number of confirmed cases for students at 14,344, for staff 213, in total 14,557.

As at 9am 14 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 15,106 confirmed covid cases at  U.K. universities. By 10am 14 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 15,359 confirmed covid cases at  U.K. universities.

News Reports, 11 October 2020.

Universities newly added.

5 October 2020: Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts: “Molly is studying at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), so she had access to some practical classes before her housemate was diagnosed with Covid-19.” The Impartial Reporter.

9 October 2020: University College Birmingham: “Third Birmingham university struck by coronavirus after 17 students test positive University College Birmingham said 17 students and one member of staff have Covid-19 after testing positive over the last week.” Birmingham Live.

9 October 2020: University of Northampton: “A number of students and staff members at the University of Northampton have tested positive for coronavirus. The university has announced in the last week there have been 10 confirmed cases.” Northants Live.

9 October 2020: University of West London: “Hello, we are at The University of West London. Living at Paragon Student Letts in London. Yesterday my flat tested positive for COVID-19. Most of us also have symptoms. No- we did not go to parties, yes- we did everything we could to prevent this. We isolated as soon as we knew we had come into contact with a positive case 3 days ago.” Post goes on to describe terrible conditions and complete lack of institutional support. Facebook.

Other News Reports.

9 October 2020: Bristol: “Today it was announced that 300 students in The Courtrooms, in Bristol’s city centre, would be placed under a two week self-isolation period effective immediately after 40 positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at the accommodation.” Epigram.

10 October 2020: Cardiff University: “Students are taking coronavirus tests at a university hall of residence in Cardiff. It comes after a number of students living at the Talybont South halls, have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days. Many are voluntarily self-isolating so the regional Cardiff and Vale test, trace and protect service has begun testing on site as a precautionary measure.” Wales Online.

9 October 2020: UEA: “The number of confirmed coronavirus cases at the University of East Anglia has increased to 73, it has been revealed.” Norwich Evening News.

9 October 2020: U”Greenwich University confirmed that there have now been 18 student cases and 2 staff cases of Covid-19 within the community, but has assured that they are all being given support during isolation.” News Shopper.

9 October 2020: Lancaster University: “1,000 Lancaster University students self-isolating as Covid cases soar Since last Thursday (October 1), a total of 105 students and staff have reported Covid-positive cases to the university.” Lancs Live.

8 October 2020: Nottingham Trent decline to release numbers of confirmed cases: “As confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been called upon to release their daily confirmed cases of students with coronavirus. “We don’t think it is helpful to provide daily updates regarding numbers of confirmed cases as the situation will change daily and we want to avoid confusion with local public health reporting.”” Platform.

9 October 2020: Salford: “We have had 215 reported student cases over the last 14 days. The cumulative total since we started to collect the data is 276.” Source: internal communication.

6 October 2020: Teesside University: “Teesside University records 30 Covid cases with six positive tests on campus in Middlesbrough.” Teesside Live.

University Dashboards

9 October 2020: Lancaster University report 119 cases over the week 2 October to 8 October.

9 October 2020: UCL start releasing figures: From 28 September to 9 October, they had a total of 69 confirmed cases.

Current tally:

107 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
85 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
14 in Scotland.
7 in Wales.

As at 6pm 11 October 2020, our data puts the number of confirmed cases for students at 11091, for staff 158, in total 11249.

As at midday 11 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 11,283 confirmed covid cases at 96 U.K. universities.

News Reports, 8 October 2020.

Universities newly added.

7 October 2020: University of Bolton: “A spokesman from the University of Bolton, said: “The University of Bolton can confirm that, to date, we have a very limited number of students who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who are required to self-isolate.” This is Lancashire. Manchester Evening News.

8 October 2020: Univeristy of Lincoln: “Six students at the University of Lincoln living in a student house have tested positive for coronavirus, The Lincoln Tab can reveal. The Lincoln Tab spoke to one of the six students who tested positive. They are all living three different households off-campus and are isolating after six positive test results.” The Tab.

8 October 2020: University of Surrey: “As of Thursday 8 October six members of our community are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.” Surrey. Archive.

8 October 2020: University of Wolverhampton: “There are nine cases at the University of Wolverhampton.” BBC West Midlands (entry for 10:16). Archive.

Other News Reports.

8 October 2020: Aston University: “There are 61 cases at Aston University.” BBC West Midlands (entry for 10:16). Archive.

7 October 2020: University of Birmingham “has confirmed that 307 students and eight members of staff were found to have the virus between September 30 and October 6.” Birmingham Live.

8 October 2020: Birmingham City University: “130 people at Birmingham City University have tested positive” BBC West Midlands (entry for 10:16). Archive.

7 October 2020: Bournemouth University: 70 students and 4 staff confirmed with Covid. Source Bournemouth UCU.

7 October 2020: “Bristol University has confirmed that 119 students and two staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.” ITV.

6 October 2020: Durham: “In the seven days up to Sunday, October 4, 69 students and one member of staff had reported positive tests. The latest figures take the total number of reported cases to 79 – 76 among students and three staff.” Northern Echo.

8 October 2020: “As of Wednesday 7 October, we have had the following numbers of reported coronavirus cases amongst our staff and students: New reported cases in last 7 days 3 staff, 219 students. Total reported cases since the beginning of Term 1 5 staff, 251 students.” Durham.

7 October 2020: University of East Anglia: “Thirty students have tested positive for Covid 19 at the University of East Anglia. The university has been using its own swab tests with students getting results within 24 hours. Seventeen of the students who’ve tested positive live on campus, thirteen off.” ITV.

8 October 2020: University of Gloucestershire: “Coronavirus cases at the University of Gloucestershire have more than doubled in just over a week. A spokesperson for the university, which has campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester, confirmed there were 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases.” Gloucestershire Live.

7 October 2020: Hull University: “But the latest set of weekly figures – from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4 – showed that another five cases had been reported, taking the total to seven.” Hull Live.

7 October 2020: King’s College London: “As we reported on 4 October 2020, we were recently notified of four individuals who attended a King’s College London Student Union (KCLSU) organised event in a KCLSU venue who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). In the first week of term from Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October, an additional 17 isolated positive cases were reported to our Covid response team through our reporting process.” KCL.

7 October 2020: London School of Economics: “Community rates of COVID-19, gathered through testing and LSE Trace at 9am on 5 October are: 11 cases (10 students, 1 staff member), 386 students and staff are self-isolating. Our COVID data tracker, which will be on the LSE website, is currently in development. We’ll share reports on the situation at our School weekly.” LSE Student News.

8 October 2020: Newcastle University: “In the last seven days (1 Oct- 7 Oct)​: 1003 students in our university community have reported a positive test for Covid-19. 12 colleagues in our university community have reported a positive test for Covid-19.” Source: internal communication. Previous figures, for the week 25 Sept – 1 Oct (note October 1st is included in both sets): 94 students, 7 staff. Chronicle.

8 October 2020: Northumbria University: “I 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 camuses is 619.” Source: Internal communication. Note: These are new cases, in addition to the 770 reported last week. Total number of cases: 1389.Chronicle.

8 October 2020: Nottingham Trent: “NTU – like many other universities – has a number of students who are in self-isolation. We are in contact with all of them regularly and we are providing them with comprehensive advice and support, access to health and wellbeing services and practical assistance where they need it.” Nottinghamshire Live.

7 October 2020: Oxford Brookes: “One hundred new cases of coronavirus have been identified at Oxford Brookes University. In the week leading up to October 2 (last Friday), 98 students and two members of staff tested positive for Covid-19. The number of cases at the university was more than double the week before.” Oxford Mail.

8 October 2020: University of Portsmouth: “we have identified 81 current positive cases within the student population, i.e. cases where the students are still in the 14-day period of self-isolation, as of 10am on 7 October.” Source: internal communication.

8 October 2020: Plymouth University: The university has today confirmed it is “aware of a small number of confirmed student cases” in the “low double figures”. Plymouth Herald.

8 October 2020: University of Sussex release new figures: currently 50 students tested positive.

8 October 2020: University of the West of England: “UWE said on Thursday (October 8) it had three positive cases.” Bristol Live.

8 October 2020: University of Westminster: “As you will note, we have a small number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19. As of today these are (7 positive cases) in our Harrow Halls and in Raffles House in Wembley (16 positive cases). We have 76 students who are currently self-isolating and they are being supported by our dedicated Quarantine Support Service. We are also aware of two colleagues and one non-resident student who have also tested positive for COVID-19, all on Harrow Campus.” Source: Internal communication.

7 October 2020: University of Winchester: As of 6 October, three unrelated Covid cases linked to the university. Source: internal communication.

Current tally:

96 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
75 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
13 in Scotland.
7 in Wales.

News Reports, 7 October 2020.

Universities newly added.

7 October 2020: “The University of Bradford has reported 26 confirmed cases of coronavirus among students and members of staff. As of October 6, the University said 23 students and three members of staff have tested positive.” Telegraph & Argus.

6 October 2020: Cardiff University: More than 100 Cardiff University students are self-isolating after 19 tested positive for coronavirus. A Cardiff University spokesman warned the number of positive cases is “likely to be higher”. The university said: “We currently have 132 students who are self-isolating, amongst a total student population of some 30,000.” Wales Online.

6 October 2020: Cardiff: Complaints of heavy handed, door-to-door, policing in the Cathays area of Cardiff, where many students live. The Tab.

7 October 2020: Cardiff University start publishing details of covid cases, but  only new cases from 6 October. So far, for 6 & & October, there have been 14 new student cases, and one staff.

Other News Reports.

6 October 2020: Aberystwyth University: ” CEREDIGION’S spike in Covid-19 cases is linked to the student population and “has not spread into the community.” County council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said on Tuesday (October 6) that there had been 130 cases throughout the pandemic in Ceredigion with more test results awaited in the Aberystwyth area “as a result of the students that have been enjoying themselves on the beach.” Tivy Side Advertiser. BBC.

6 October 2020: “University of Bath confirms at least 31 students with Covid.” Somerset Live.

6 October 2020: University of Bath release numbers of cases for the last 7 days: Currently 48. Note that this is for seven days, it is not a cumulative total, and the Bath tracker seemingly removes older data.

7 October 2020: Birmingham City University: “Birmingham City University said that 130 students and staff members have tested positive for the virus between September 14 and October 5.” Birmingham Live.

7 October 2020: University of Birmingham start publishing statistics. From 30 September to 6 October, there have been 307 students and 8 staff members testing positive for Covid. Birmingham.

6 October 2020: “University of Brighton confirms first coronavirus cases. The university confirmed that 18 students had tested positive for Covid-19.” The Argus.

7 October 2020: University of Bristol start releasing numbers. As of 7 October, there 119 students and 2 staff confirmed with covid. [Note: corrected from erroneous 199.]

7 October 2020: Brunel University start releasing statistics. As of 6 October, there were 13 student and 3 staff cases.

7 October 2020: Cambridge: “11 University of Cambridge students infected with Covid-19.” Cambridge News.

6 October 2020: De Montfort University, Leicester: “The university has released a statement saying nine members of staff and 11 students have now tested positive for Covid-19.” Leicestershire Live.

6 October 2020: University of East Anglia: “University of East Anglia is slammed for ‘exploiting’ students forced to self-isolate by charging them £252 for a two-week food package – which includes only ONE hot meal a day.” Daily Mail. Note: This confirms that UEA have students self-isolating, although the last figures were of just 2 students testing positive, from 29 September.

6 October 2020: University of East Anglia: “As of 9am this morning, there were 35 people confirmed with the virus (nine people off campus and 26 people on campus.” Source: internal communication.

7 October 2020: University of Edinburgh release their latest figures: “We have a total of 321 live cases reported to us as of today amongst our students and staff.”

7 October 2020: Exeter University: “The Tab Exeter asked students in a poll on Instagram if they had tested positive for Covid-19, in which 12% voted for “Yes” with over 300 votes, whilst the other 88% which accounted for 2,296 students voted for “No.”” The Tab.

7 October 2020: University of Hertfordshire report two new ‘on-campus’ student cases. Source: internal communication.

7 October 2020: University of Hull: “Over the last reporting period (Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October), we have had 5 isolated cases amongst our Hull based student community, bringing the total since mid-September, when students started their return to campus, to 7.” Source: Internal communication.

7 October 2020: Leeds start their covid tracker. Confirmed coronavirus cases for the seven days from Monday 28 September: 558. Leeds.

5 October 2020: Loughborough University start releasing counts of cases every Tuesday and Friday. As of 5 October, they had 26 cases.

7 October 2020: Manchester Metropolitan: “More than 500 staff and students at Manchester Metropolitan University have tested positive for Covid-19 – there could be even more The latest figures do not include the results of a mass testing pilot launched at two MMU halls of residence last week.” Manchester Evening News.

7 October 2020: Newcastle University state “We reported to you last week that in the previous seven days we had 94 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 among students. This has risen significantly since then.” No further figures given. Source: internal communication.

7 October 2020: Newcastle University move most classes online.

6 October 2020: Northumbria University: “Union demands Northumbria University boss’ resignation after 770 coronavirus cases.” Chronicle.

6 October 2020: Northumbria University announce that they will start to release numbers of covid cases every Thursday. Northumbria U.

6 October 2020: Royal Holloway release their latest figures: positive tests for 1 staff member and 15 students.

6 October 2020: Sheffield University: “Over 100 Sheffield University students test positive for coronavirus in a DAY as cases pass 500.” The Star.

6 October 2020: Sheffield University suspend face to face teaching. “The university has now recorded 589 cases in total since 28 September, comprising 583 students and six staff.” BBC.

6 October 2020: “The neighbouring Sheffield Hallam University said it had recorded 373 cases in the last two weeks. It is also taking action over the next two weeks by increasing online teaching, but is keeping some teaching going on the campus.” BBC.

6 October 2020: St Marys, Twickenham. ” A London uni only told students about campus Covid cases a day after it told staff. Students had to wait a full working day to find out the news.” The Tab.

7 October 2020: University of Strathclyde: “83 cases at Strathclyde. Don’t know if that is just official Halls, or whether that includes students in private rentals and private halls.” Strathclyde UCU on twitter.

7 October 2020: “111 coronavirus cases at University of Sunderland with outbreaks mainly clustered around student accommodation A further 17 students or staff at the University of Sunderland have tested positive for coronavirus.” Sunderland Echo.

6 October 2020: UCL: “Over the weekend, staff at John Adams, St. Pancras Way, Langton Close and Connaught halls of residence have reported cases of Covid-19 among students. Although University College London (UCL) has not confirmed the figure or the alleged locations of the outbreaks, an official spokesperson said that “a very small number of students have reported that they have tested positive for Covid-19 in unconnected cases in UCL managed halls”. UCL Pi.

6 October 2020: Two students test positive for Covid-19 at Winchester University. Hampshire Chronicle.

6 October 2020: University of York: “As of 4.10pm, Tuesday 6 October, we are aware of 113 individuals within our University community who are currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. Since our previous update at 4.30pm on Monday 5 October we have been notified of 39 new cases, which are included in the total figure above.” U York.

Current tally:

92 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
71 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
13 in Scotland.
7 in Wales.

News Reports, 6 October 2020.

5 October 2020: Aberdeen University: “Coronavirus increase among students as 122 cases confirmed at Aberdeen University.” Press and Journal.

6 October 2020: Anglia Ruskin announce two cases on their Essex campus.

5 October 2020: University of Bath start releasing statistics, confirming 31 student cases. University of Bath.

5 October 2020: “Last night sources from UoB confirmed to The Sun of almost 300 students and staff having tested positive for the virus at the University of Birmingham.” Also notable: “The University of Birmingham previously told The Birmingham Tab that the full data from the university will be published early this week.” The Tab.

6 October 2020: University of Bristol: “Last week, the University of Bristol confirmed multiple coronavirus cases among its student population. It said “a very small number of students” have tested positive for covid-19, but did not release an exact number. This came after a University of Bristol student in self-isolation contacted BristolLive and claimed there were 140 students in self-isolation across the University.” Bristol Post.

5 October 2020: Brunel University: Currently 8 confirmed cases on campus, 3 off campus. Source: Internal communication.

6 October 2020: Latest figures from the University of Edinburgh: “We have a total of 312 live cases reported to us as of today amongst our students and staff.”

5 October 2020: Exeter University: “Nearly 300 cases have been confirmed in the last three days in Exeter – most linked to the University – as clusters grow.” Exeter are not providing numbers of confirmed cases amongst their population, but this article analyses the public PHE data, which includes 127 cases in the Pennsylvania & University area. Devon Live.

6 October 2020: Goldsmiths University: “Goldsmiths is the latest university to experience a coronavirus outbreak, with around 15 people among staff and students testing positive.” News Shopper.

5 October 2020: University of Leeds: Leeds education boss calls for Boris Johnson to let university students study from home “We need the Government to realise what effect this failure is having on the mental health of students everywhere.” Leeds Live.

5 October 2020: University of Liverpool start releasing (old) data. For the 15 days 14 September to 28 September, they have had 16 staff with positive tests, and 161 students. University of Liverpool.

6 October 2020: London School of Economics: “11 cases (10 students, 1 staff member): 6 from LSE testing, and 5 from NHS testing. 353 students are self-isolating, 33 members of staff are self-isolating.” LSE.

5 October 2020. London South Bank University: “We’ve had 9 confirmed cases in total over the past 4 weeks, comprising 5 students, 3 staff members, and one contractor.” Source: internal communication.

5 October 2020: “As of 8 o’clock this morning there were four confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our halls of residence.” Loughborough University.

5 October 2020: University of Manchester. “More than 380 students and staff at the University of Manchester have now tested positive for coronavirus.” Manchester Evening News. Latest figures, going up to 2 October,  published by the University show 824 students and 18 staff are covid positive. Update: figures going up to 4 October show 1,041 students and 20 staff positive.

6 October 2020: University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University abandoning face to face teaching, and going all online. Manchester Evening News. MancUnion.

30 September 2020: Oxford Brookes: Currently 88 cases, all students. Source: Internal communication.

6 October 2020: “The University of Oxford has defended its decision to hold an event at a city theatre tonight despite the county being on ‘red alert’ for the coronavirus.” Oxford Mail.

6 October 2020: Queen’s, Belfast: “As of 2 October, figures obtained by BBC News NI show that 388 students and staff have been asked to self-isolate. By the same date, the university had been notified of 166 positive cases during the first two weeks of term.” BBC.

6 October 2020: The University of Reading start a case tracker. Current figures for 6 October are 8 newly reported cases, and 10 for the week beginning October 5th.

5 October 2020: St Marys, Twickenham: “A statement released by the university today (October 5) said: “We can confirm that a small number of non-teaching staff have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).” Richmond & Twickenham Times.

5 October 2020: Latest figures from the University of Sheffield total 6 staff and 583 students.

5 October 2020: University of Southampton: “There are now 12 coronavirus cases amongst University of Southampton students. A University spokesperson has confirmed to the Soton Tab: “The University has 12 known active cases of COVID-19 among its students and two cases among staff. All are self-isolating, along with any close contacts, in line with government guidance”. The Tab. Daily Echo.

5 October 2020: University of Sussex‘s latest figures as of 4 October: 18 students cases.

6 October 2020: UCL: “Just over a week after the start of the academic year, there have been Covid-19 cases confirmed in three separate UCL accommodations: John Adams, St Pancras Way and Langton Close.” The Tab.

6 October 2020: University of Westminster: “we have recorded a small number of positive cases of COVID-19. These have been reported in our Harrow Campus residences (7 cases) and at Raffles House in Wembley – managed by accommodation provider, iQ – 16 positive cases.” Source: Internal communication.

5 October 2020: University of Winchester: two positive Covid cases linked to the university. Source: internal communication.

5 October 2020: University of York: “72 Covid cases confirmed at University of York.” York Press.

5 October 2020: York St Johns: A spokesperson for the university said: “As of Friday, October 2, there are currently fewer than 25 staff and students self-isolating following a positive Covid-19 test.” York Press.

6 October 2020: York St Johns said 46 “members of our university community” were self-isolating yesterday after testing positive for coronavirus.” York Press.

Current tally:

90 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
70 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
13 in Scotland.
6 in Wales.

News Reports, 5 October 2020.

1 October 2020: Goldsmiths University: “We are able to confirm that there are fewer than five cases.” Source: Internal email.

4 October 2020: St Mary’s University, Twickenham: “We are liaising with a small number of team members in Sport St. Mary’s and SMSU who have tested positive for Covid-19.” Source: Internal communication.

5 October 2020: Queen Mary University, London, start releasing data: “We currently have 55 active cases of Covid-19 among students, and 0 among staff.” QMUL. Archived.

5 October 2020: University of East London: “This morning, Public Health England has confirmed two positive cases of Covid-19 within the University community in two separate Halls of Residence buildings.” Source: Internal communication.

4 October 2020: King’s College London: “We can confirm that we have been notified of four individuals within our community who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), while attending a King’s College London Student Union (KCLSU) organised event in a KCLSU venue.” KCL.

5 October 2020: Kingston University state “a small number (less than 10) of positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported amongst our staff and students over the past week.” Source: internal communication.

5 October 2020: University of Greenwich: Week commencing 28 Sept: total Covid cases = 18 students and 2 staff. Greenwich UCU on Twitter.

5 October 2020: University of Roehampton. “We can confirm that one of our students tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday evening (2 October 2020).” Source: internal communication.

3 October 2020: Northumbria University have issued a clarification on their figures: “Northumbria University want to clarify the recorded figure of 770 published yesterday is the cumulative number of students who have reported testing positive since they started to return to University for the start of term in mid-September. Those affected live in different student and non-student accommodation and have been advised to self-isolate in line with national guidance to try and limit further spread of the virus. The new self-reported cases on 2nd October were 78, which is the lowest daily figure for 5 days and whilst this is encouraging, we remain vigilant to further cases in our university community.” Northumbria University. Archive.

3 October 2020: Durham Van Mildert College: “one member of our Van Mildert College Freshers’ Representatives team has today tested positive for COVID-19.” Source: Internal email.

5 October 2020: Durham University begin publishing statistics. As of 4 October, they had 76 students and 3 staff test positive.

4 October 2020: Loughborough University: “Around 20 students at Loughborough University are self-isolating after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed. The university has said the two infected students live in separate households on campus.” Leicester Mercury.

5 October 2020: Sheffield Hallam start publishing numbers: as at 4 October they stood at 369 students and 4 staff with confirmed positive tests. Sheffield Hallam.

5 October 2020: “And last night sources at the University of Birmingham confirmed to The Sun almost 300 students and staff had tested positive for the virus.” The Scottish Sun.

4 October 2020: University of Edinburgh: “We have a total of 244 live cases reported to us as of today amongst our students and staff.” University of Edinburgh. Archived.

5 October 2020: Around 70 cases at University of Exeter. The Scottish Sun.

4 October 2020: University of Manchester: “More than 380 students and staff at the University of Manchester have now tested positive for coronavirus.” Manchester Evening News. University of Manchester stats.

5 October 2020: University of Nottingham start releasing data. Active confirmed cases week ending 2 October 2020: 425 students, 8 staff. University of Nottingham.

5 October 2020: University of Sheffield release their latest statistics: 474 cases amongst students, 5 amongst staff.

5 October 2020: University of Warwick announce “26 [people] have tested positive for Covid-19. Warwick. The Boar.

2 October 2020: University of York: “As of 4.30pm, Friday 2 October, we are aware of 28 individuals within our University community who are currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. Since 11.00am on Thursday, we have been notified of 8 new cases.” University of York. Archived.

Current tally:

84 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
64 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
13 in Scotland.
6 in Wales.

Confidential Reports, 23 September 2020.

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!