Covid cases linked to uni party on rise

THE number of Covid-19 cases linked to a student party in the west end of Dundee has risen to 57.

Students who have been to any party or social gathering outside their household have been urged to book a test, regardless of whether they are suffering coronavirus symptoms.

On Friday it emerged that 36 cases have been linked to a party on Springfield on March 14. The majority of those cases were students.

A multi-agency incident management team is now working with the university to help curb the spread of the virus, after it was announced the positive cases had risen by 21.

The flat where the party took place is just metres from Dundee University’s main campus.

A Dundee University spokesman said: “There have now been 57 positive cases among students from the university over the past few days.

“On the advice of NHS, any student, even if asymptomatic, who has been to a party or social gathering with people outside of their own household or bubble at any time from March 13 onwards should arrange to take a test as soon as possible.

“This is an essential action if we are to limit the spread of the virus in our community.

“You must not attend any parties or social gatherings outside of the current guidelines – no indoor meetings between households, and only four people from two households to meet outdoors.”

The outbreak comes after hundreds of young people gathered at Magdalen Green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Wednesday.

Police were seen speaking to several revellers but did not issue any fines for breaches of coronavirus rules.

West End councillor Fraser Macpherson urged people to abide by coronavirus rules while the vaccination rollout does its work.

He said: “Unfortunately this shows the consequences of not sticking to the rules.

“The rules are there for a reason and here we see the results of not sticking to them.

“I think it’s important to make the point that the vast majority of students are sticking to the rules, however.

“And it’s not just students who have been found breaking them.”

Mr Macpherson said he received a flurry of messages from constituents in the aftermath of the gathering.

He added: “A lot of people said that they are sticking to the rules and feel aggrieved when they see others not doing so.

“It has to be said that most people are sticking to the rules and there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I would urge everyone to stick with it.

“Hopefully by summer we will be in a better place.”