Exeter: confirmed coronavirus cases

Five ill; one at university

An Exeter University student has tested positive for coronavirus, and four others have been treated at the RD&E Hospital at Wonford.

The ill student hasn't been on campus since Thursday and took a test for Covid-19 whilst abroad. They're now staying at home with their family. ITV News is reporting a statement from the RD&E about the other cases. Three people are being treated at the hospital; the other has returned home and is self-isolating in line with national guidelines.

In a message to students, posted on Sunday afternoon, the university's registrar and secretary Mike Shore-Nye described how: "while in Exeter, they live in a private one-bedroom apartment and do not share accommodation with anyone else."

The student is said to be feeling relatively well and acted "proactively and responsibly" in reporting the issue to the university. Public Health England has told the university further action isn't necessary.

With two weeks until the end of term, teaching will continue as usual this week. From Monday 23 March until the Easter break, face-to-face teaching will stop and online teaching used instead. Laboratory work will be subject to risk assessment. Also from that date, exams and assessments will take place online until further notice.

Students will receive more information on Monday (16 March).