CASES LINKED TO UNIVERSITY

OVER half of the 58 cases of coronavirus in Devon in the past seven days can be traced to the University of Exeter.

Analysis of the cases reveals they can be linked back to a number of students who arrived from their home towns and cities while already infected.

There is no evidence of a spread to the wider community.

Mike Shore-Nye, registrar for the university, said: “We know from Public Health England that of the 58 cases reported in Devon over the past seven days a little over half are attributable to the University. In Cornwall, there are less than five cases at the University.

“The Public Health teams have made a careful analysis of all of the cases so far and their assessment is that a number of students have arrived from their home towns and cities, carrying the infection with them, and this has been passed on to their close contacts and housemates.

“At this stage there is no evidence of wider community transmission. It’s the news no-one in our community wanted though, and while I know there have been pictures and reports of young people breaking the rules, the vast majority of our 25,000 students have behaved impeccably.”

The university says its rapid 24-hour testing system has been able to identify positive cases quickly and make sure those infected or in contact with them are isolated quickly.

There have been concerns that some students have ignored coronavirus restrictions by gathering in large numbers. But the university says this is not an accurate reflection of student behaviour. Mr Shore-Nye said “many of these young people are away from home for the first time and already had a difficult start to adulthood with now further pressures and consequences to face. Some will receive sanctions and fines but most deserve our understanding and support.”