More than 600 students and staff at Sheffield University test positive for Covid-19 as city teeters on brink of local lockdown

According to an online tracker on the university’s website, launched on September 30, a total of 611 students and five staff members tested positive for the bug over seven days.

Yesterday the institution announced it was temporarily suspending face-to-face teaching from Friday (October 9) in response to the rising number of cases.

It comes as Greg Fell, Sheffield Council’s director of public health, said earlier this week it was a ‘matter of when, not if’ local restrictions are imposed, with an announcement possible before the week is out.

The latest figures for the city show there were 320 cases per 100,000 people in the week leading to October 3. The average area in England had 55.

The university said students and staff affected were following government guidelines and support was available.

A spokesperson said: "We recognise how difficult it is for students who are new to Sheffield and need to self-isolate because of Covid-19 cases.

"To make sure we are supporting students in the best way possible, we will contact all students who are self-isolating to check on their welfare and offer practical and emotional support."

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