NHS Lothian says that the number of students who have tested positive for Covid-19 in university accommodation in Lothian has gone up this week.
Public health experts urge all students to follow all national guidance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
They remind them that a student flat is a household. That means students cannot visit anyone else’s flat or go to an indoor venue with people who are not their flatmates.
Universities are continuing to provide clear-cut guidance for students, who live in halls that are not divided into flats so that they know what counts as a household for them.
They also said that if students live in a flat of six or more people they cannot meet up with anyone else. In other circumstances they can meet up with one other household – up to a total of six people.
Where students have face to face learning with a group that is not in their household, they cannot then go out socially as a group
Parties must be online only and they urged them to remember FACTS – Face coverings in enclosed spaces; Avoid Crowded Places; Clean your hands and surfaces regularly; Two metre distancing; Self isolate and book a test if you develop symptoms.
So far, more than 125 students have tested positive and people who have been in close contact with confirmed cases have been asked to self-isolate to protect other students and their communities.
By this morning a total of 120 cases have been confirmed at Edinburgh Napier University, a small number at University of Edinburgh and a small number at Queen Margaret University.
The outbreak in Edinburgh Napier University has been investigated and is managed by a multi-disciplinary Incident Management Team (IMT), chaired by NHS Lothian.
The Health Protection Team in NHS Lothian is working with all of the universities to provide any advice around infection control measures and enhance testing arrangements for students in the affected halls of residence.
All of the universities and colleges in Edinburgh have stringent precautions in place and remain open for teaching and learning.
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.”
If students or staff experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms (fever, loss of sense of smell or taste and new and persistent cough) they should book a test.
For more information please visit the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot or for non-clinical advice call the helpline 0800 028 2816.
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