THE University of Sunderland has confirmed that a number of students and staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
As of Monday 28 September, 40 students and four members of staff have tested positive for the virus.
A message from vice-chancellor David Bell, released on Monday (28 September), said: “A number of people in our university community have tested positive for Covid-19.
“All those affected are receiving university support, and cases are being managed according to public health requirements.”
A spokesperson for the university said today (Tuesday 29): “Across the University, we have detailed plans in place to manage such situations and we are following these closely. These plans include working with Public Health England to gather information, as well as to support and advise students who have tested positive or are self-isolating with symptoms.
“University staff are in contact with the city council and health officials and continue to follow agreed procedures and guidance.
“We remain confident in our measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. These include physical changes to our campus facilities, protocols around social distancing and hand-washing, an enhanced cleaning regime, and changes to our teaching model.”
The news comes after students were warned they may need to isolate in their university accommodation for two weeks prior to going home for Christmas with their families.
A range of on-campus and online teaching has been taking place at the university, as part of the safety measurements to keep students and staff as safe as possible.
Hand sanitising stations, test and trace and one-way systems have also been put in place across the university’s city centre and St Peter’s Riverside campuses to prevent the spread the virus.
The University of Sunderland has a total of 20,000 students on its campuses in the North East, as well as in London and in Hong Kong, where similar safety and teaching measures have been adopted.