SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER, 2020

For immediate release:

UPDATE: COVID-19 Outbreaks linked to student community

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 students in Dundee affected by COVID-19 outbreaks.

Parker House

COVID-19 update as at 5pm, 26 September, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 49.

• Contact tracing is continuing.

• Due to the higher risk of transmission of the virus in large shared student accommodation, all residents of Parker House are self-isolating until further contact tracing has been completed. The isolation period will be for a maximum of 14 days but the IMT will review, in light of test results, if this can be reduced for some individuals.

• All students have been offered testing

• Results will continue to come in over the coming days

• The number of positive cases is expected to rise as results come in

• Testing kits are available for any residents at Parker House who still wish to be tested.

• 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.

Meadowside Hall

COVID-19 update as at 5pm, 26 September, 2020:

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

• Meadowside Hall in Dundee provides accommodation for 69 students from Abertay University.

• Close contacts of the positive cases are being contacted and provided with appropriate advice.

• Testing kits have been delivered to all residents at Meadowside Hall.

• Support for those self-isolating is being provided.

Captain’s Cabin pub

NHS Tayside’s Public Health Team and Dundee City Council’s Environmental Health Team are investigating a number of cases of COVID-19 linked to Captain’s Cabin pub in Dundee.

Contact tracing of the positive cases is ongoing and those identified as a close contact by the Test and Protect Team have been contacted and advised to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

The premise has voluntarily closed on a temporary basis to undergo cleaning and the owners are continuing to work with the IMT to review and enhance their COVID-19 control measures.

All staff have been recommended to access testing.

Anyone who has attended Captain’s Cabin over the last week should remain vigilant for symptoms of COVID-19 and should self-isolate and get a test if any symptoms develop.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health and chair of the IMT said, “We are continuing to work closely with our colleagues to monitor this ongoing situation and to ensure there is support in place for students should they need it. There have been no reports of positive cases experiencing serious illness or complications.

“Contract tracing is continuing and I would encourage all students who develop symptoms to self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible.

“We are expecting an increase in the number of students moving to the local area this weekend ahead of starting their courses, and our university and college colleagues have put in place a number of measures to help protect the student population and to limit the spread of the virus.

“We understand that this is an anxious time and I would like to reassure for students and their loved ones that welfare support and advice is in place for anyone who requires support at this time.

“I would like to again thank residents of Parker House and Meadowside for their continued support and understanding, and to reaffirm how much of a contribution to the overall effort towards slowing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 they are making by following all the precautions.

“We remain in a high state of vigilance and we are continuing to monitor all the measures we have put in place to ensure we are doing everything possible to stop the spread of this virus in the community.”

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 740716