Virus cluster found at university housing

A cluster of new Covid-19 cases has been found at one of Edinburgh’s leading universities, health chiefs have revealed.

As had been widely feared ahead of the return of s tudents to the city, NHS Lothian confirmed that its Health Protection Team are investigating a coronavirus outbreak at Edinburgh Napier’s Bainfield accommodation.

Health chiefs said they would not release further details of the outbreak“to maintain patient confidentiality”.

In a statement, they said staff were “contacting individuals and any close contacts living in university accommo - dation” following the outbreak and giving them advice.

Concerns had previously been voiced that the return of thousands of students – along with an influx of freshers – could see a spike in cases despite painstaking precautions taken by all of the city’s universities and colleges.

NHS Lothian said: “The university remains open and operational as normal. All students and staff, who have not been asked to selfisolate, should continue to attend as normal.

“Everyone should continue to be vigilant.”