Covid: More than 950 Durham University students test positive

More than 1,200 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed at Durham University since the start of term

More than 950 students at Durham University have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week.

The university said between 100 and 150 new cases had been confirmed daily in the seven days up to Wednesday, for a total of 958.

Six staff members have also been diagnosed within the past week.

Meanwhile, Newcastle University said 749 students and 11 staff tested positive for coronavirus in the seven days up to Wednesday.

Neighbouring Northumbria University saw 131 new cases in the week to Wednesday, compared with 619 the previous week.

It said two members of staff had reported positive tests in the past week.

A Durham University spokesman said all affected staff and students were self-isolating in accordance with NHS guidance and were "receiving our full support".

Two of the university's 17 colleges, St Mary's and Collingwood, had new restrictions imposed upon them on 8 October to try and limit the spread.

In the previous seven-day period, 219 new cases were confirmed in students across the university and three in staff.

Since the start of term, 1,209 students and 11 staff have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The spokesman said: "We are proactively and regularly monitoring and managing the situation with local and national public health experts and taking appropriate action where required.

"Our teaching and wider student experience activity continues both online and face-to-face, in Covid-secure settings."

The university has about 4,000 staff members and 20,500 students, some 2,500 of whom are studying online.

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