In the last week the wider Southampton area, and now our student community, like other areas of England, has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Thought to be linked to off-campus social activity, we currently have 62 active cases reported to us by students. Twenty-three are in private accommodation with the remaining in our halls of residence, all of whom are now isolating.
The majority of our teaching and assessment periods have been completed and therefore a large proportion of students have now left their term-time accommodation. Although this significantly reduces the risk of transmission, we continue to implement our COVID safety precautions and have also taken additional steps to help support our remaining students, including international postgraduate taught students (PGT) who are continuing with their studies, and colleagues in our accommodation through:
- Additional access to the saliva testing programme as well as lateral flow testing kits for all student residents.
- Comprehensive welfare checks and isolation support packages available to all affected students.
We continue to work closely with colleagues at Public Health England and Southampton City Council, and they continue to express full confidence in the procedures that the University already has in place to control and minimise the risk of infection.
SUSU is also carefully risk assessing its planned events over the coming days and weeks in order that it can provide engaging and safe activities for students during the summer.
We know this may be a difficult period for our students and colleagues as cases rise in the city. We have ongoing comprehensive plans in place. If you have direct pastoral or educational contact with students who are expressing concerns, we encourage you to ensure they contact Student Support.
To help keep you and our community safe please ensure that you have read the relevant risk mitigation guidance and follow all local guidance. If you have any concerns, please do speak to your line manager.
