Bristol Uni coronavirus cases double in two days

The University of Bristol have reported that positive coronavirus cases have doubled in the last two days.

The university only started making case numbers public on Wednesday, but since then the reported figure of positive coronavirus cases has increased from 121 cases to 254. This includes three staff members.

This follows the breaking news today that The Courtrooms halls of residence has been put under a two week lockdown after reporting 40 positive coronavirus cases.

The uni also announced that Mobile Testing Units will be set up exclusively for University of Bristol staff and students, and will be open between 10:30am – 3:30pm from Friday 9th October. The tests will be self-administered, and then handed back in.

300 students at The Courtrooms have been placed under a two week lockdown after 40 residents test positive for Covid-19

In a press office statement, the university said: “The university has a community of almost 28,000 students and 7,000 staff and is working closely with Bristol City Council and Public Health England to support confirmed cases and close contacts to self-isolate swiftly to contain any outbreaks.

“Our campuses remain open where enhanced safety measures are in place. Buildings are certified COVID-19 Secure to Government guidelines with sanitising stations at all entrances.”

The rising cases within universities seen not only at Bristol Uni, but across the country, have raised anxiety amongst teaching staff. The Bristol UCU recently voted to demand the “immediate cessation of unnecessary face-to-face, in-person teaching”, despite efforts to make the classroom “Covid secure”.

Regarding the lockdown in The Courtrooms Professor Sarah Purdy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, said: “We have been actively monitoring coronavirus case numbers across the University community throughout the pandemic and have implemented a range of planned, increasing measures to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. This has included the self-isolation of a number of living circles within our residences.

“Having reassessed case numbers with colleagues from the Public Health Team today, we have decided that further measures are appropriate at this stage.”

The Bristol SU Officer team also said in a statement to The Bristol Tab: “We’re conscious that the current situation is likely to affect your wellbeing so would encourage you to use the university wellbeing access form for support if you need it. We’ll be continuing to run events online, like many of our student groups, so that you are still able to connect to other students.”

The University will be reporting daily updates on coronavirus cases on their website from Monday.