Coronavirus cases linked to Dundee student halls rise to 52

Further infections confirmed at Parker House and Abertay University's Meadowside Hall.

Coronavirus cases linked to Dundee student halls rise to 52

The number of coronavirus cases linked to student halls in Dundee has risen to 52.

Contact tracing at Parker House, a private student accommodation, is ongoing with all 500 residents continuing to self-isolate.

Confirmed infections there have risen to 49 after a single Abertay University student initially tested positive.

Parker House residents began self-isolating on Wednesday and could have to quarantine for a fortnight.

However, the self-isolation time may be reduced for some students dependent on their Covid test results.

NHS Tayside warned the number of positive cases linked to the accommodation is expected to rise as test results continue to come back.

Meanwhile, Abertay’s Meadowside Hall residence, which houses 69 students, has now had three Covid-19 cases confirmed.

Close contacts of the three cases are being contacted and provided with appropriate advice and will be supported if they have to self-isolate.

Meadowside Hall residents have not yet been told to self-isolate en masse although testing kits have been delivered to them.

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

Local public health officials are also investigating “a number” of coronavirus cases linked to the city’s Captain’s Cabin pub.

https://www.facebook.com/CaptainsCabinDundee/posts/193369388893604

The venue has closed voluntarily to undergo deep cleaning and all staff have been recommended to book a test.

Contact tracing of the positive cases continues with those identified as close contacts by Test and Protect told to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Anyone who has visited Captain’s Cabin over the last week should watch out for Covid symptoms and should self-isolate and get a test if any symptoms develop, officials said.

NHS Tayside’s associate director of public health Dr Daniel Chandler, who is heading up the incident management team, 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.”

He added: “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.”

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