Nearly 120 University of Sheffield students test positive for Covid-19 in three days

Figures released by the university show that since the Autumn term began on Monday, 116 students and two staff members have tested positive.

CRIME: South Yorkshire detectives renew appeal for information over 'horrific act of violence' which killed OAP

On Monday, 19 students tested positive, on Tuesday another 32 were confirmed to have the virus and yesterday 65 cases were recorded.

COURT: South Yorkshire man downloaded sick child porn and bestiality

The university has around 29,000 students and 8,000 members of staff.

LATEST: 'Highly dangerous' Sheffield gunman set to be sentenced for shooting 12-year-old boy in street

In a statement on its website, the university said: “When we received notification of a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, we follow detailed processes and procedures, including tracking and tracing to reduce onward transmission, communications to relevant staff and students, and deep cleaning of affected areas where appropriate.

“Staff and students who are confirmed as having Covid-19 are asked to share details of their close contacts to allow us to inform those that will need to self-isolate in line with government guidelines.

“In addition to this information, we are using timetabling data and system logs to identify staff and students who may have been in close proximity to a confirmed Covid-19 case and may therefore have to isolate

“When a member of the university community tests positive they self-isolate with their household in line with government guidelines.”

The university said staff are supporting self-isolating students with phone calls ‘to check on their welfare’ and to offer ‘practical and emotional support’.

Support is also offered to help students access medication, shopping and food.

The university is publishing confirmed Covid-19 cases on a daily basis.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.