Universities Minister announces over 9,000 university students have coronavirus

Around 9,000 university students have coronavirus, Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has said.

68 campuses across the country have confirmed new cases in the past week, out of a population of 2 million students.

This was discussed in the House of Commons on 12 October. As the Universities Minister, Ms Donelan had to report on the current outbreaks in universities nationwide.

Universities often publish their statistics online. For example, the University of Nottingham reported around 1,500 last week.

Ms Donelan has received criticism for the lack of data on outbreaks on campus. She claimed that there will be a more transparent report of data starting from next week.

[Students have been] socialising in a way that is not fit with the guidance

– Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister

“We then go back to those unis to ascertain that data and as of next week we will have a new data regime working with the OfS (Office for Students) that will be much more transparent”

After a spike in coronavirus cases, some universities have moved more of their teaching online. This includes the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Sheffield University.

Manchester Metropolitan University has said that this change will last until 30 October. However, this is under constant review as the situation continues to change.

Some have claimed, including Ms Donelan, that outbreaks are occurring as some students  are not following the guidance on socialising safely.

Ms Donelan said that a minority of students have been “socialising in a way that is not fit with the guidance” and “that is why we have seen some of these spikes on the whole arising”.

With cases rising on campuses, there is worry of the spread of coronavirus during the Christmas break. Reports suggest that universities may be asked to abandon face-to-face teaching in the lead up to Christmas, some as early as 8 December.