Tag Archives: Sunderland

News Reports, 29 October 2020.

Leave a Reply

News Reports.

26 October 2020: Durham: “The latest figures released by the university as part of its weekly update on cases, show a total of 516 students and nine members of staff tested positive between October 15 and 22. This is a drop in cases after 958 students and six members of staff tested positive for the virus in the previous week. It brings the total number of cases to 1,745 since the start of term, with 20 cases among staff and 1,725 among students.” Northern Echo.

29 October 2020: Manchester Metropolitan: “A university in Manchester has been threatened with union action after it announced plans to reintroduce face-to-face lessons next week.Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has said it will provide up to three hours of in-person activity each week for most courses on Monday after the majority of lessons were moved online.The University and College Union (UCU) has said asking staff to revert back to in-person teaching when the city had moved to tough Tier 3 restrictions to try and control the virus was “unacceptable”.” Express & Star.

28 October 2020: University of Sunderland: “Sunderland University confirms 13 new Covid cases taking total up to 150. The latest figures reveal 13 more students have tested positive for Covid in the past week.” Chronicle Live.

University Trackers

26 October 2020: Bath Spa release figures showing , showing a total of 35 confirmed cases, from 5 October to 25 October. According to UCU there have been a total of 37 cases.

28 October 2020: Exeter: A further 19 cases from 25 October to 27 October brings the running total to 869.

28 October 2020: University of Hertfordshire: “Cumulative total of cases at the University since 28 September 2020: 78.”

29 October 2020: Keele report: “Since 18th September 2020 there have been 136 confirmed student cases off campus, 77 confirmed student cases on campus (213 student cases in total, 138 of which are now closed), and 14 confirmed staff cases (8 cases closed).”

26 October 2020: Oxford release new figures: 208 positive tests between 17 October and 23 October, through their own testing service. In total, since 20 August, 496 positive tests.

29 October 2020: University of Surrey: No. of weekly cases: 35. Total cases, since 17 September, 92.

Current totals:

119 Universities have reported coronavirus cases.
96 in England.
1 in Northern Ireland.
14 in Scotland.
8 in Wales.

As at 8am 29 October 2020, our data puts the number of confirmed cases for students at 31,860, for staff 841, in total 32,701.

As at 8am 29 October 2020, the UCU dashboard reported 32,681 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, 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, 29 September 2020.

Leave a Reply

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.

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!