WEDNESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER, 2020

For immediate release:

UPDATE: COVID-19 Student Residence Outbreak

Update from the Incident Management Team (IMT) which is working with local further and higher education providers and Public Health Scotland to provide public health advice and guidance to support student accommodation in Dundee affected by COVID-19.

COVID-19 update as at 2pm, 23 September, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 3.

• Contact tracing is continuing.

• Due to the higher risk of transmission of the virus in shared student accommodation, all residents of Parker House are self-isolating until further contact tracing has been completed.

• Support for those self-isolating is being provided.

• All university and college campuses including all other student accommodation and halls of residence in Dundee remain open.

NHS Tayside’s Health Protection Team is continuing to investigate a number of positive and suspected cases of COVID-19 linked to private student accommodation, Parker House in Dundee. Close contacts of the positive cases are being contacted and provided with appropriate advice.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health and chair of the IMT said, “We understand that asking all residents of Parker House to self-isolate poses challenges, however we know from outbreaks in other university settings across Scotland that the virus can spread very quickly in student accommodation. Further investigation and contact tracing is continuing and we will review this advice in the coming days.

“In the meantime, it is really important that any residents who develop symptoms book a test as soon as possible. All students should also continue to follow the updated national guidance and not make indoor social visits to other households.”

Welfare support and advice for students self-isolating is being provided.

Any student requiring support should contact:

• Abertay University: Support Enquiry Zone – sez@abertay.ac.uk or 01382 308833

• University of Dundee: enquiry@dundee.ac.uk or www.dundee.ac.uk/coronavirus/student-support

• University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews COVID Helpdesk, covidhelp@st-andrews.ac.uk or 01334 46 4146

• Dundee and Angus College: covid-support@dundeeandangus.ac.uk

What you should do if you have symptoms:

Anyone who has any of the following symptoms should book a test at nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or call 0800 028 2816 if they are unable to access the online service:

• a high temperature or fever

• a new continuous cough 

• a loss of, or change, in sense of smell or taste

Remember the FACTS guidance:

F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)

A – Avoid crowded places

C – Clean your hands frequently, using water and soap whenever possible

T – Two metres – observe physical distancing

S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms

Contact

NHS Tayside Communications
(01382) 424138