Local media reports Royal Holloway student tests positive for coronavirus

A member of the Royal Holloway community has tested positive for coronavirus, the University has confirmed.

The University did not state whether the person who has tested positive is a student or staff member, but BBC News reports that it is a student.

The individual is in self-isolation. Members of their household have also been told to self-isolate for 14 days, which is the NHS recommendation for people who live with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

It is unclear whether or not the individual and their household are located on campus.

The University says that it is trying to identify other people in the community who might have also been infected by the same person.

Douglas Searle, Director of Health and Safety at the College, said: “NHS Test and Trace or the university will be in touch with anyone we believe may have been in close contact with the individual concerned.”

At present, there are no other confirmed cases of coronavirus at Royal Holloway, but Mr Searle said that the College is “continuing to monitor the situation closely”.

Mr Searle also urged students and staff to “continue to follow the rules and guidance in relation to social distancing and hygiene measures”.

Last week, the College introduced tougher measures to ensure that people follow coronavirus rules on campus after SurreyLive reported that a student said they felt unsafe on campus after rule breaches at freshers’ parties held on campus during Freshers’ Week.

The measures included campus marshalls to ensure compliance with guidance on face-coverings and social distancing. The campus marshalls will have the authority to issue fines of up to £200.

Featured image credit: South West News Service

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