Tag Archives: Newcastle

News Reports, 27 October 2020.

Leave a Reply

News Reports.

26 October 2020: Heriot-Watt: As of 26 October 2020, there are 9 students and under 5 staff testing positive. Source: Internal communication.

27 October 2020: University of Lincoln: “Some 176 students and staff at the University of Lincoln have tested positive for coronavirus. The data released on Tuesday, October 27 is more than double last week’s figure of 85, although the newest number is less than 1% of the University’s population.” The Lincolnite.

22 October 2020: Newcastle University: From 15 October to 21 October, 237 students and 5 staff tested positive. From 8 October to 14 October, 749 students and 11 staff tested positive. We estimate (due to problems with the data) that the total number of cases are 2091 students, 42 staff testing positive. UCU’s combined figures for students and staff are 2012. Source: Internal communication.

26 October 2020: University of Portsmouth: “There are 126 students and staff who are COVID positive and are currently self-isolating at the University. Of these 126 active cases, 123 cases are students, and 3 are staff.” Source: Internal communication.

University Trackers

27 October 2020: Bishop Grosseteste have 12 students isolating due to testing positive, and 5 students and 2 staff isolating having shown symptoms and awaiting tests or results.

26 October 2020: Essex University have 9 current cases: 6 students and 3 staff.

26 October 2020: King’s College London: Total cases since September 28: 162 students, 17 staff.

27 October 2020: Kingston University launch a dashboard, without older data, and with the average per 100,000 cases (more than five times its own population). 12 cases in the week up to 23 October. Our running total: 34 cases.

Current totals:

118 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
95 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
14 in Scotland.
8 in Wales.

As at 7am 27 October 2020, our data puts the number of confirmed cases for students at 29,459, for staff 712, in total 30,171.

As at 7am 27 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 30,154 confirmed covid cases at  U.K. universities.

News Reports, 15 October 2020.

1 Reply

Universities newly added.

14 October 2020: Bishop Grosseteste University: “There are currently seven students self-isolating due to a positive test result for coronavirus.” The Lincolnite.

News Reports.

14 October 2020: University of Birmingham: “Over 600 Covid-positive students at University of Birmingham after 300 further cases.” “The University of Birmingham confirmed 301 students and five members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus after reporting 315 cases the previous week.” Birmingham Mail.

13 October 2020: University of Bristol / University of West England: On why there is such a great discrepancy between their numbers of cases: “While Bristol University started to welcome students on campus on September 18, UWE students have just started to move into halls now.” Bristol Post.

14 October 2020: University of Chester: “In a statement, the university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Debora Green confirmed the number of positive results has “now entered double figures” – although an exact number was not disclosed.” Chester Standard.

15 October 2020: University of East Anglia: Currently 79 students and 1 staff member testing positive. Source: Internal communication

14 October 2020: University of Hull: “From Monday 5 October to Sunday 11 October, we can confirm we have had 13 unrelated cases amongst our Hull-based student community, which brings our total since mid-September to 20. ” Source: Internal communication.

15 October 2020: Kingston University: 22 confirmed positive cases. Source: Internal communication. UCU reported 18 on 11 October.

14 October 2020: University of Leeds: “Last week, the university announced that 558 positive tests were returned within the first seven days of term, as a major outbreak spread quickly among students returning the to city. However, it was later revealed that a further 82 people also tested positive between Monday, September 28 and Sunday, October 4. It has now been revealed that a further 269 staff, students and contractors at the University of Leeds caught Covid-19 in the seven days to October 11, taking the total since the start of term to 909.” Leeds Live.

14 October 2020: “Some 36 University of Lincoln students tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, and one member of staff. It comes after six students at the university tested positive for coronavirus last week, but those were off campus. The University of Lincoln said: “As of 9am this morning (Wednesday) the University of Lincoln has 37 positive coronavirus cases (less than 0.3% of the university community). “One of those is a member of staff. We are in regular contact and providing support as necessary to self-isolating students and staff.”” The Lincolnite.

15 October 2020: Newcastle University: 749 students, 11 staff testing positive in the week 8 to 14 October; the totals for 1 to 14 October are 1752 students, 18 staff. Newcastle UCU on Twitter.

14 October 2020: University of Strathclyde: 150 cases. Source: Internal communication and UCU dashboard.

14 October 2020: University of Sunderland: A spokesman said “As of today (14 October) 111 students and 13 staff have received a positive Covid-19 test since counting began at the beginning of this academic year. Of these cases, 13 are new in the last seven days.” Chronicle Live.

University Trackers

15 October 2020: University of Bath reports 35 new cases amongst students, and 2 for staff, for the last two days, giving an overall total of 209 students and 2 staff.

15 October 2020: Bristol University have a cumulative total of 725 students and 9 staff testing positive for Covid.

15 October 2020: Brunel University have 16 student and 6 staff covid cases.

15 October 2020: Cardiff University, between 5 and 14 October, have 284 students and 1 staff test positive.

15 October 2020: Durham: Total cases since start of term: 11 staff, 1209 students. Palatinate.

12 October 2020: King’s College London: Total numbers since 28 September: 35 students, 9 staff.

14 October 2020: Solent University: “As of today, (14 October 2020) we can confirm 28 Solent students have tested positive for Covid-19.”

15 October 2020: Surrey: As of Thursday 15 October, 22 members of our community are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

15 October 2020: UCL: Total cases since 28 Sept 2020: 13 staff, 190 students.

Current tally:

114 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
92 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
14 in Scotland.
7 in Wales.

As at 9am 15 October 2020, our data puts the number of confirmed cases for students at 16,397, for staff 255, in total 16,652.

As at 5pm 15 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 20,022 confirmed covid cases at  U.K. universities.

News Reports, 8 October 2020.

2 Replies

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.

1 Reply

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, 26 September 2020.

Leave a Reply

26 September 2020: Sky News reports that “At least 32 universities in the UK now have confirmed coronavirus cases, and another one has suspected cases” with the number of cases of coronavirus totaling over 510.

England: Aston, Bath, Coventry, De Montfort, Durham, Exeter, Hull, Kent, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Met, Oxford Brookes, Portsmouth, Salford, Staffordshire, Sunderland, UWE, Warwick, York St John.

Scotland: Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee (no confirmed cases), Edinburgh Napier, Glasgow Caledonian, Herriot-Watt (suspected cases, not confirmed), Queen Margaret, Robert Gordon, St Andrews, Stirling, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh.

Wales: Swansea, University of South Wales.

According to my tally, Sky are lacking the universities of Leicester, Newcastle, and Northumbria; plus Plymouth and Aberystwyth, only confirmed today. It also seems that two of these universities don’t have confirmed cases.

25 September 2020: Cases at both University of Leicester (2) and De Montfort (4 staff). Leicester Mercury.

25 September 2020: A joint statement from the two universities states “As of Friday 25 September, we can confirm that we aware of 62 Newcastle University and Northumbria University students who have tested positive for Covid-19.” Chronicle Live.

25 September 2020: 127 positive cases amongst students, 1,700 students self-isolating, at Manchester Met. Manchester Evening News.

26 September 2020: “Glasgow University is to refund one month’s rent to students in halls of residence as compensation after hundreds were forced to self-isolate following an outbreak of coronavirus.” Guardian.

26 September 2020: Glasgow Caledonian: “Two students have tested positive for covid, with a further two showing symptoms and a total of 18 students from three flats currently self-isolating.” Glasgow Live.

26 September 2020: Plymouth: “A massive student accommodation block in central Plymouth has confirmed that three residents have tested positive for coronavirus.” Plymouth Live.

26 September 2020: “Two people with ‘connections’ to Aberystwyth University test positive for Covid-19.” The Cambrian.

Current tally:

36 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
23 in England.
10 in Scotland.
3 in Wales.

News Reports, 25 September 2020.

2 Replies

24 September 2020: One University of Hull student has tested positive. Hull Live.

24 September 2020: “There are currently a small number of positive cases among our student population, all of whom are self-isolating.” University of Edinburgh. Archived page.

24 September 2020: Further reporting on the six cases at Leeds University. “The positive cases are among both students and staff – however they are not connected to each other, the University said in a statement.” Yorkshire Evening Post.

24 September 2020: There has been an outbreak of cases in a “Leeds student suburb.” Yorkshire Evening Post.

25 September 2020: The Leeds Tab reports “At least five flats across two halls of residence at Leeds Uni are now self-isolating, either because residents have contracted coronavirus, or because they are awaiting test results.” The Tab.

24 September 2020: “Edinburgh Napier University: 120 cases of coronavirus identified in an outbreak at the University.” Edinburgh News.

25 September 2020: “First Abertay student to catch Covid-19, leading to Parker House lockdown, speaks out.” 4 positive cases so far; student states “much of what had been claimed about the outbreak was inaccurate..” Dundee Evening Telegraph.

25 September 2020: “The number of coronavirus cases linked to accommodation for Abertay University students has risen to 46 and spread to a second halls of residence.” Dundee Evening Telegraph.

25 September 2020: “St Andrews University Covid-19 cases hit 12 as students prepare for quiet weekend.” The Courier.

23 September 2020: Confirmed: 22 students, 8 staff, tested positive at Newcastle University. Source: recording of meeting.

25 September 2020: Northumbria University reports “some student cases of Covid-19 in private halls and in our own residences.” Source: internal emails.

25 September 2020: Exeter University state “Today, we know from Public Health England that of the 58 cases reported in Devon over the past seven days a little over half are attributable to the University. In Cornwall, there are less than five cases at the university.” Cornwall Live.

In old news: “Covid-19: re-opening universities is high risk” British Medical Journal editorial, 1st September 2020.

Housekeeping: In case of link rot, I am archiving every link I publish here on the Wayback Machine.

Current tally:

24 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
14 in England.
9 in Scotland.
1 in Wales.

Confidential Reports, 23 September 2020.

2 Replies

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!