Coronavirus hits Oxford University: Student tests positive for deadly bug after returning from overseas travel, confirms Public Health England
- The student is believed to have self-isolated as soon as they had symptoms
- Oxford University said there is a low risk to other staff and students there
- Student is being offered ‘all necessary support’ and events will continue
A student at Oxford University has tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from overseas travel.
Public Health England confirmed the case to the university yesterday and the Vice-Chancellor informed staff in an internal email seen by the MailOnline.
In the email Professor Louise Richardson claimed she was ‘constrained as to what she could say’ but was ‘glad to report’ that the student self-isolated as soon as they developed symptoms and did not attend university or college events after they fell ill.
On the university’s website, it states that the risk to other staff and students is ‘very low and that university and college activities can continue as normal’.
A general view of Oxford University above. The Radcliffe Camera, above, serves as a reading room
The university did not reveal what country the student had travelled from but said its immediate concerns were for the affected student and their family, along with the health and wellbeing of university staff, students and visitors.
‘It has been established that the affected student did not attend any university or college events after they felt ill, when they subsequently self-isolated.
‘As a result, PHE has advised that the risk to other students and staff is very low and that university and college activities can continue as normal. They have also advised that the university and colleges do not need to take any additional public health actions in the light of this specific case.
‘We have worked with PHE to make sure that anyone who was in contact with the student after they fell ill have been notified and that they are able to access support and information as needed. PHE do not consider individuals infectious until they develop symptoms.’
It added that the university is taking the situation ‘very seriously’ and said support would be available for those with any concerns, adding that they would share any further updates of the infection as appropriate.