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Covid-19 infection rates at universities in England and Wales are up to seven times higher than in their home cities, according to the Guardian analysis, amid concerns that growing outbreaks in students are at risk. to be extended to local communities.
The University of Sheffield reported 588 infections among students in the week ending October 8, an infection rate of 2,028 per 100,000 population. This rate was approximately seven times higher than that of the city council.
The University of Birmingham recorded 307 student infections in the week ending October 6, equivalent to a rate of 1,023 per 100,000 residents. This was six times higher than the local council rate.
The University of Manchester had the highest per capita student infection rate, with 1,155 cases reported in the week ending October 6, equivalent to 2,888 per 100,000 population. This was more than five times higher than the rate of the local authorities.
The analysis examined 10 of the largest universities by student population in England and Wales for which Covid-19 data was available. At all but two universities, the University of Liverpool and the University of South Wales, infection rates for students were higher than for the total local population during the same time period.
The local authority figures by area were correct at 4.30pm on October 9.
Although the figures do not provide evidence that the virus is spreading from universities to the wider community, experts said significantly higher student infection rates posed a significant risk to public health.
Professor Gavin Yamey, director of the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke University, which leads research on the spread of Covid in higher education, warned: “It is impossible to hermetically isolate students and staff from the community. in general. “
Pointing to a study that found that the reopening of American universities and colleges earlier this summer contributed to more than 3,000 new cases a day in their local areas, he added: “I am appalled that UK universities have not been able to learn from the great debacle of reopening of American universities. “
Martyn Moss, North West England regional official for the University and College Union (UCU), said Manchester student areas, such as Fallowfield, were reporting soaring infection rates. He added: “We are in a nightmare situation in which large numbers of asymptomatic people may be spreading the virus to higher risk groups in the local community.”
Gabriel Scally, visiting professor of public health at the University of Bristol and a member of the Independent Sage committee, said the student outbreaks would have a huge effect if young people choose to “go home and bring the virus with them or if they mix in the community. ”.
He added: “We should not happily accept the spread of this virus, of which I think perhaps some universities are guilty.
A spokesman for the University of Manchester, which moved online teaching until Oct. 30, said the city’s local council and universities were knocking on doors to reassure students and remind them of local and national pandemic restrictions.
Sarah Doran, a public health consultant leading Manchester’s response to Covid-19, said a pilot plan to screen students en masse in residences was a factor in the high numbers reported. He added: “Additional walk-in tests will be offered this week in Fallowfield for both students and local residents.”
A spokeswoman for the University of Sheffield said it had suspended most of its face-to-face teaching until October 19 due to rising infection rates among students and the wider community.
A spokesperson for the University of Birmingham said that students had direct access to the tests on campus and that more tests were being conducted in the city than in many other parts of the UK.
A Birmingham City Council spokeswoman added: “There is no evidence that Covid has spread from students in residences to the wider community, but this is being closely monitored.”
A spokesperson for Universities UK, which represents 137 higher education institutions, said: “It is more important than ever that the government commit to a mass testing strategy for university students and staff with rapid turnaround of results and effective tracking of contacts “.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said: “Universities are prepared for a local outbreak, and we have worked with them to help develop action plans in case of positive cases on campus or an increase in cases locally.”
