Dozens of coronavirus cases linked to Dundee student party

36 positive results have been detected after a gathering on Springfield last Sunday.

Author: Callum ClarkPublished 19th Mar 2021
Last updated 22nd Mar 2021

Dozens of coronavirus cases are being linked to a student party in Dundee's West End.

36 positive results have been detected after a gathering on Springfield last Sunday, metres from Dundee University's main campus

All but two of the positive cases are students there. Police have confirmed they were not called out over the weekend.

Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee said, “We are deeply concerned by this outbreak of cases among some of our students, which has been linked to a gathering in a private residence. We are working with NHS colleagues to manage the situation and hopefully prevent further spread of the virus.

“We will support any students affected and are urging all those who may be contacted by test-and-trace to fully engage with that process.

“We have been constantly reminding all students of the need to follow all of the COVID guidelines, particularly around social gathering and the limits which are in place for us all, and we have issued further strong reminders in light of this outbreak, with the support of the Students’ Association.”

A multiagency Incident Management Team (IMT) has met in response to notification of a number of cases of COVID-19 amongst students of the University of Dundee.

The IMT is working with University of Dundee and other partners to provide public health advice and guidance to support affected students in Dundee and limit further transmission as far as possible.

Dr Kirsty Licence, Public Health Consultant and chair of the IMT said, “A number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and their close contacts are self-isolating.

“Contact tracing is continuing and it is really important that all students who have been identified as close contacts, and anyone who develops symptoms, self-isolates and books a PCR test as soon as possible. I would also urge students who test positive to provide information about all their recent contacts when called by Test and Protect. This information will help our contact tracing efforts to track and limit the spread of the virus.

“We are continuing to work closely with our colleagues to respond to this situation and to ensure there is support in place for students should they need it.”

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