Students struck by new spike as they’re told: Do not hold parties
HUNDREDS of students have been forced to selfisolate amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in Scotland’s universities – with a strict warning not to throw parties.
Universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow have all been hit by significant coronavirus outbreaks in recent days.
Last night the University of Glasgow confirmed 124 students had tested positive for the virus, with more than 600 now quarantining in residential halls.
Addressing the issue of clusters at universities, Nicola Sturgeon said student life lends itself to spreading the virus.
She said that ‘tough guidance’ was currently in place and diseveryone, cussions are continuing about what else may be needed.
Appealing directly to students, she said: ‘If you are asked to selfisolate, and I know many of you are already in that position, it is really important that you follow that advice.
‘From me, for now, please know that we appreciate the sacrifices you’re making at this really important stage of your lives.
‘It’s not yesterday that I was at university, but I still remember what an important stage of life it is and nobody wants you to be living under these restrictions. But it is important that you take care not to put yourselves at risk and obviously not to inadvertently put other people at risk.
‘What we’re asking you to do now is for the collective good of but we do appreciate your sacrifices and thank you for it.’
Hundreds of students in Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow have been asked to self-isolate inside their university halls.
National clinical director Jason Leitch said yesterday: ‘We need you not to have house parties. I could not be more clear.’
At her briefing, Miss Sturgeon said the ‘significant outbreak at the University of Glasgow’ had affected the daily Covid-19 infection figure for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
A total of 224 cases were recorded across the health board area in the past day, she said. Of these, 124 were students at the University of Glasgow.
The University of Glasgow confirmed on social media it is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak at two student residences – Cairncross House and Murano student village.
Those who are self-isolating are being provided with food and other supplies, the university said, adding that an incident management team was dealing with the matter.
A spokesman for the University of Glasgow said: ‘We are aware of two significant clusters of positive cases of Covid-19 in our Murano Street and Cairncross residences, which we believe were largely due to social activity around September 12-14, the start of freshers’ week.
‘We are working closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s public health team to manage these.
‘The total number of reported cases since the start of term is 124 but the actual number is likely to be higher.
‘Over 600 students are isolating across all residences.
‘We are not aware of any students who have had to receive hospital treatment.’
Professor Leitch said he had spoken to student leaders about the latest restrictions on Tuesday through the National Union
‘Important stage of life’ ‘Help us stop the spread’
of Students. He said: ‘We discussed what more they could do and what more messaging they could help us with.
‘There are now a number of outbreaks in our higher and further education institutions around the country, with significant numbers of positive cases.
‘We need every student across Scotland to help us stop the spread of the virus.’
Addressing students directly, Professor Leitch reiterated the Government’s public health advice on coronavirus and urged people to download the Protect Scotland app.
It is ‘vital’ that those asked to self-isolate do so for a full 14 days, he said, remaining in accommodation and not going out for any reason.
He added that those who are self-isolating must try to avoid close contact with others in shared accommodation.