More than 400 positive cases of coronavirus have been recorded at the University of Nottingham (UoN).
Data published on UoN’s website this evening showed a large number of cases among students at the Russel Group university.
The university, which has a combined community of around 45,000, has recorded a total of 433 active cases in the week ending October 2.
Just eight staff members have tested positive, but 226 cases have been recorded among students in private accommodation.
There have been 106 confirmed among students in university halls, with a further 93 among students in purpose-built accomodation.
It comes following chaos for University of Nottingham students with very little communication about positive coronavirus cases.
According to UoN student news website Impact, students in accommodation at Nightingale Hall, Derby Hall, Hugh Stewart Hall, Broadgate Park and Riverside Point have tested positive.
The student media publication also claims coronavirus restrictions were poorly enforced in the Broadgate accommodation.
It has also been reported that some students in on-campus accommodation Derby Hall were left feeling as though they were in a “prison”.
On the UoN website, a statement read: “Where students are self-isolating in university halls with symptoms or a positive test result, meals and mail will be delivered to their room three times a day, and hall wardens will make regular checks to see how they are feeling and identify any additional needs.
“Where households are required to self-isolate in University Halls, they will be given scheduled access to laundry facilities, outdoor spaces and specific times to take meals in the dining rooms.”
It added: “We are in regular contact with Nottingham City Council, local public health officials and other partners to make sure that we are sharing information about the local situation and responding to the latest guidance.”
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Last month, a 19-year-old Politics student at UoN was fined £10,000 by Nottinghamshire Police after officers had to shut down a house party in Lenton.
News of the cases at UoN preceded further news this evening of Nottingham becoming the “next hotspot” after the infection rate underwent a six-fold increase in a week.
Public Health England data shows 1,273 cases were recorded in Nottingham in the week leading up to October 2.
It means the city’s rate of new cases per 100,000 people is now 382.4 – an increase of over six times on the previous week’s rate of 59.5.
The city now has a case rate higher than many places in local lockdowns.
By Matt Lee
Lead image: West Bridgford Wire
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