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Exeter covid largely confined to university

Wednesday, 7 October 2020 12:54

By Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter

Campus area is now in England top 10

There is still no evidence that continuing rise in covid-19 cases linked to Exeter University has spread to the rest of the city, health bosses say.

The university area has leapt into the top ten of areas in England with positive cases, with a rise from 127 to 223 cases in the latest figures of the country’s largest coronavirus clusters, with a further 55 cases in Central Exeter and 30 in St James’ Park & Hoopern, both of which have large amounts of student accommodation. 

More cases have been confirmed in last week in Exeter that in each of Mid Devon, North Devon, the South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon throughout the entire pandemic, although Tuesday’s 35 new cases was the lowest for a week.

Mike Shore-Nye, registrar at the university, said: “Over the past seven days we have seen a continuing rise in the number of confirmed covid-19 cases in our university community and we have taken targeted action. Our rapid testing system means that we have been able to identify the positive cases and ensure individual isolation and support immediately. PHE has confirmed that to date there is still no evidence of transmission to the wider community.

“We continue to assess the situation daily and work alongside PHE, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and Cornwall Council on any further actions required. Over the past 7 days we have seen a significant commitment from students in both following the covid-19 guidance and the additional measures we have put in place. Alongside the rapid test and trace system this is how we, as a community, will fight the spread of this virus.”

Dr Virginia Pearson, director of Public Health Devon, added: “Despite the rise, the county of Devon still has fewer confirmed cases than most other local authority areas of comparable population and density. However, the latest data does now show a rise in Exeter, still largely within the University of Exeter student population, that requires focused attention.

“We have been working very closely with Public Health England, the University of Exeter and Exeter City Council, and already measures have been taken to reduce the wider spread of infection. They include restricting movement between University student households in the city, and increased testing capacity for their students and staff. Analysis to date has shown infection spreading in social settings and in and between student households and accommodation, and we are continuing to work with the University to reduce risk in that context.”

As a result of the demand for tests under the University’s private Halo testing, they have invited the national Test and Trace scheme to set up a temporary Testing Centre on the Streatham campus dedicated to Exeter students and staff. This will allow the University to focus their Halo resources on some targeted testing, and also to allow them to develop a process to enable staff family testing.

Ben Bradshaw, Exeter MP, added: “While Exeter is the top covid hotspot in the south of England, we shouldn’t be over-alarmed about that. In a small city like Exeter, with a large student population, all it takes is for there to be a couple of outbreaks in student halls for the city’s overall figures to look very high.

“So far, according to local public health officials, wider community spread has been minimal, with the virus largely contained in student halls and shared student housing in the city.The University has acted swiftly to restrict the movements and activities of those affected and provide them with support.

“Like a number of other universities around the country it also had the foresight to commission and run its own test and trace system. This allowed it, using real time data and the swift turning round of test results, to act quickly to inform and isolate students affected.”

 

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