St Andrews student tests positive

A student at the University of St Andrews has tested positive for coronavirus after visiting Switzerland.

In a message to students and staff, St Andrews vicechancellor Professor Sally Mapstone said the student is recovering in self-isolation.

The student, who lives alone, developed Covid-19 after arriving back in the UK.

Prof Mapstone said: “Our primary concern is for our student, who is in selfisolation in St Andrews, receiving appropriate medical care and recovering. Our student services team is providing support.

“The student had recently been in Switzerland and took ill the day after they returned to the UK. They self-isolated and contacted NHS 111 when symptoms first appeared.

“The student lives alone in private accommodation in St Andrews. We have been planning extensively for this eventuality for several weeks and our established protocols and advice have been closely followed.”

St Andrews students were advised this week to prepare for all teaching and assessment to take place online, the university said.

Prof Mapstone added: “We understand this development will cause concern amongst our students, staff and the wider community.

“It is however entirely expected given the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic.”

The news came as it emerged the University of Edinburgh is moving some classes online and cancelling some exams to reduce the spread of the virus.

First and second year exams are being cancelled this year, with those in third year and above performed remotely. The move was announced in an email to all students from Vicechancellor Peter Mathieson, following an emergency meeting of senior staff.

Glasgow University has also announced that exams will take place remotely.