Covid at unis: 125 students in Edinburgh test positive
More outbreaks are being linked to campuses across Scotland
Students in Edinburgh are being urged to stick to coronavirus guidance after 125 tested positive across the capital.
On Thursday NHS Lothian said a total of 120 cases have been confirmed from Edinburgh Napier University, with small numbers at the University of Edinburgh and Queen Margaret University.
Health officials are monitoring the Napier outbreak, while close contacts of all those who've tested positive are being told to self-isolate.
It follows similar clusters which have emerged at universities across Scotland since students returned to campuses this month.
Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: “This is a really important time for all of our students and we need them to stay safe. They must follow national advice and all of the COVID-19 prevention and infection control guidance that has been put in place to protect them.
“When someone is asked to self-isolate as a case or a contact they must stay in their room on their own to help us prevent the infection from spreading. You cannot go out except to be tested.
“Social gatherings and parties spread COVID-19. They are not allowed in Scotland because of the immediate and longer-term health risks from COVID-19. If you hear of one, don’t go”.
“We know this is a worrying time for students, staff and their families. If everyone follows the guidance we can keep the spread of COVID-1919 under control.
“Students should be alert to the symptoms of COVID-19. If they develop symptoms then they should self isolate, inform their key link person at their university and arrange testing.”
Earlier, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed a walk-in testing centre will be opened in Edinburgh by the weekend, partly to cope with the extra demand from students.
She was questioned by opposition parties at Holyrood on how prepared the government was for the return of higher education amid the pandemic.
Scottish Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson said: "We know that the Scottish Government's plans for testing centres included university sites.
"But we also know only two of the planned 22 centres have opened and that number will rise to half by the end of October.
"The figures we're seeing in the last few days show that we can't wait over a month to get the centres up and running, we need them now.''
In response, the First Minister said; "There is never any complacency for me in saying these things but there is no issue at the moment of students who are symptomatic getting tested and getting tested quickly and getting those results.''
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