MONDAY, 28 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, Public Health Scotland and other partners to provide public health advice and guidance to support students in Dundee affected by COVID-19 outbreaks.

Parker House

COVID-19 update as at 1pm, 28 September, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 68.

• 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. 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.

• The Scottish Government have advised that the most appropriate action for self-isolating students is to stay in their accommodation. However, the new guidance acknowledges that there will be circumstances where it may not be possible for some students to remain in their accommodation.

• All students in Parker House have been offered testing

• 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 1pm, 28 September, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 16.

• 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.

NHS Tayside’s Public Health Team is also investigating and undertaking contact tracing for a small number of cases related to other university/college accommodation settings in Dundee.

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.

“Our advice to students who are self-isolating remains to stay in their accommodation. The Scottish Government has advised that students who require the support and care of a friend, family member or other supportive person to comply with the requirement to self-isolate can return home. This must be arranged through your accommodation provider to ensure students are collected safely and the risk of spread of COVID-19 is minimised. It is very important to continue to follow the guidance on self-isolating to ensure any return home can be done as safely as possible.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the student population of Tayside for their understanding during this difficult time. I am especially grateful for the actions of those who have been self-isolating and I would like to thank them for their continued cooperation.

“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.”

Police Scotland Chief Inspector, Ross Fitzgerald said, “We are grateful for the support and cooperation of students across the city who have demonstrated the utmost concern for the wellbeing of members of their local communities, through high levels of adherence to COVID-19 regulations, social distancing measures and specifically the more challenging aspects of self-isolation. 

“Given many of these students are coping with a recent move to a new city or are living away from home for the first time, it is understood that the level of disruption to their normal support mechanisms is substantial. All agencies continue to work closely in support of our student communities at this time and share their determination to limit the spread of the virus.”

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 01382 381900

• 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