Nearly 2,000 students at universities in the North East test positive for coronavirus

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nearly 2,000 students at universities in the North East of England tested positive for coronavirus in the past week, figures released on Thursday have revealed. A spokesman for one of the UK’s oldest universities said that it was “proactively and regularly monitoring and managing the situation” and “taking appropriate action where required.” He added that “teaching and wider student experience activity continue both online and face-to-face, in Covid-secure setting.” Newcastle and Northumbria universities reported a fall in infections as they entered their second of at least three weeks of online-only teaching. Northumbria University said it was “continuing to make extensive efforts” to provide support for students who were self-isolating with online concierge services or food parcels delivered by staff and its students’ union. The impact on students’ health and wellbeing has been clearly disregarded – and yet students are being blamed for simply adhering to guidelines and following rules set out by the government.” The NUS has called for students to have the right to leave their university accommodation and access education entirely online, as well as rent reimbursements and the option to defer or drop out of courses without losing out financially.