Second Covid-19 outbreak linked to students

An outbreak of coronavirus linked to a group of friends at St Andrews University has left 95 students self-isolating.

A total of 15 students at the university have tested positive for Covid-19, the second flare-up of the virus reported in the past two weeks.

The latest outbreak comes after a “sudden and significant” outbreak of coronavirus within the university’s student population.

Eleven students living in four halls of residence and private accommodation in the town tested positive for the virus, while more than 40 others were understood to be selfisolating after the flare-up, reported on March 17.

A spokesman confirmed the latest outbreak, and said updates on the situation would be posted on the university’s website.

He said: “Over the past weekend, 15 students tested positive for Covid-19.

“These new cases are separate from the outbreak which we experienced two weeks ago and affects students primarily from one hall of residence, and private accommodation.

“The infection is limited to a particular friendship group.

“A further 80 students are in self-isolation, and our rapid response team has, as usual, moved very quickly, to limit the risks of further transmission.

“There have been no new student cases reported since the weekend.

“We have made all our students and staff aware of this flare-up in infections, and asked our students to consider the seriously disruptive effects that just one case can cause.

“We will of course continue to publish our weekly Covid-19 updates on the home page of the university website.”