Coronavirus: More than 750 Northumbria University students test positive

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A spokesperson for Northumbria University said: “The increase in numbers comes in the week after students returned to university and reflects the good access to and availability of testing, as well as rigorous and robust reporting systems. “We are making it clear to students that if they break the rules they will be subject to fines from police and disciplinary action by the universities which may include fines, final warnings or expulsion.” However, lecturers have since claimed they were encouraged to take on a greater than average amount of face to face sessions despite concerns from staff. “We told Northumbria University they had a civic duty to put the health of staff, students and the local community first and we take no pleasure in now seeing another preventable crisis play out.” Meanwhile councillor Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council's cabinet member for neighbourhoods and public health, blamed a “small number of students” who she said were “undermining” efforts to bring the outbreak under control. A spokesperson for the Northumbria Students' Union said it had been working with the university and council to “create an environment where students can not only safely access the education they came here for but enjoy life on campus too”.