Sheffield Hallam University records more than 200 new Covid-19 cases

In the seven days up to Sunday, October 18, 209 students and nine members of staff at the university tested positive for the virus.

New figures are published every Monday on the Sheffield Hallam website, with figures available for each preceding two-week rolling period.

The latest figures mean that a total of 952 students and 30 members of staff at the institution have now tested positive for the deadly bug since Monday, September 28.

In a statement on its website, Sheffield Hallam University said: “Our system is based on self-reporting from students and staff. Where it later transpires that a student did not have a positive test, the university has removed that student from our list of cases. This has led to a reduction of seven cases in figures for the week commencing 5 October figures.”

It added: “We are one of the largest universities in the UK, with around 4,000 staff and over 30,000 students.

“We are working closely with Sheffield's director of public health and Public Health England on our approach, including our response to potential infection clusters or outbreaks.

“We have clear communications in place for our students and staff to promote our shared responsibilities in helping to keep our community Covid-safe.

“Many of our students and staff do not live in Sheffield and commute to our campus only when they need to do so. We have a number of students living in accommodation halls in Sheffield provided by the university and our partners, with whom we are working closely. We have a range of support available to those who are self-isolating.”

At the University of Sheffield, 23 students and five members of staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, October 19.

In the seven days up to Sunday, October 19, the institution recorded a total of 191 new cases.

A total of 1,326 students and staff have tested positive since Monday, September 28 – figures which include data collected from the previous weekend.

The University of Sheffield said it will release new figures on a daily basis.

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