WEDNESDAY, 30 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 3pm, 30 September, 2020:

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 74.

• Contact tracing is continuing.

• Residents are continuing to self-isolate in line with advice from the IMT.

• The Scottish Government has 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.

Abertay University's Meadowside Halls

COVID-19 update as at 3pm, 30 September, 2020:

 

• Number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases = 24.

• Cases and contacts at Meadowside have been advised to self-isolate.

• 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, “I would like to once again thank the student population of Tayside for their continued support and understanding at this time. We do not underestimate the effect that asking individuals to self-isolate has on their lives.

“We know that many students have questions about when their period of self-isolation can end and the NHS Tayside Health Protection and Test & Protect team have been working hard to gather information to allow us to issue more detailed guidance.

“Tomorrow, I will be writing to residents of Parker House and Meadowside Halls to outline more detailed guidance on when their periods of self-isolation can end.

“It is important to note that the guidance on when self-isolation can end will vary depending on each individual’s circumstances. This means that residents of Meadowside and Parker House will be ending their period of self-isolation on different dates. It is important that each resident continues their self-isolation until the date they are advised.

“In the meantime, I would encourage all students who develop symptoms to self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible. I would also urge students who test positive to provide the Test & Protect team with feedback on their most recent contacts as soon as possible when we get in touch. This information will help our contact tracing efforts to track and 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