Calls for full online teaching as Sheffield student Covid cases soar
There are now more than 400 students who've tested positive in the city
Last updated 5th Oct 2020
There are calls for Sheffield's universities to put all teaching online as more and more students test positive for coronavirus.
More than 400 in the city have now got Covid-19 and are self isolating but both universities are still offering a mix of online and in-person teaching.
Unions want more done to try and contain the spread of the virus.
Freddie Winter's a second year student at Sheffield Uni - he's one of hundreds who are now having to self-isolate:
"I received a notification on the NHS Track and Trace app saying that I'd been exposed to the virus and to isolate which was a bit of a surprise, a bit of a shock.
"It's not great because now I'm now inside for nine days when I like being active, I like being outside and seeing people.
"One of my housemates got the same notification this morning as well. And it transpires someone we were at the pub with on Saturday night has just tested positive for coronavirus.
"I've got lectures online obviously so I've got no excuse but to crack on with my course really. Luckily we've got a little garden patch where we can get out and do some exercise. In some ways I'm fortunate that I'm in isolation with one of my housemates so we can get through this together I hope."
Sheffield University says it's providing daily check-ins on students who are self-isolating, helping with medicine, food shopping and offering drop-in peer support groups.
Freddie's pleased with how it's been handled:
"I think the university is doing all they can to be honest. Same with the government because I think it's all well and good criticising them and saying this should be better but we've got to remember this has never happened before. This is new for everyone."
But we're told many lecturers aren't happy with having to do some face-to-face teaching given so many students have tested positive.
The lecturers union UCU's calling for all teaching to put online and for more testing of students too.
Craig Brandist is from the branch at Sheffield Uni:
"We have received messages from members of staff who are clearly concerned about it. We don't think they shouldn't be compelled to put themselves in that position unless they feel confident enough to do so.
"We need to have as much material online as possible to reduce the amount of face-to-face contact that's taking place until cases go way down.
"I know the health and safety acros the university are working extremely hard and they're doing their best but really it's an impossible situation.
"Until they've got a proper testing programme in place, we don't really feel that it's really a safe environment to have so many students. It's not fair to the students either because they're being brought in and having to pay a lot of money for this and then they're not getting what they expected. "
Sheffield University has told us it's reduced its on-campus teaching to around 20% of what it would normally provide to reduce the infection risk.
A spokesperson for the university said:
"Staff across the University have been working hard to prepare the best teaching and learning resources for our students - both via face-to-face teaching and digital delivery.
"Students have told us about the benefits of learning together on campus and we have worked hard to provide this safely.
“We do understand that some staff may have concerns as we begin our Autumn term and we want to reassure both staff and students that we are working very closely with local and national partners to respond to all the latest developments and guidance."
The university's brought in measures such as staff and students wearing face coverings in teaching spaces, meeting rooms and around campus, restrictions on class sizes and one-way systems with signage.
The statement continues:
"We are regularly reviewing these safety measures and teaching arrangements in line with evolving guidance and we will continue to keep staff informed of any changes.
“Delivering an excellent student education while doing all we can to ensure the safety of our staff and students remains our top priority. We are thankful to all our staff and students for their efforts so far to follow government guidelines and play their part in keeping our University community as safe as possible."