[ad_1]
Students are taking coronavirus tests at a university residence in Cardiff. It comes after several students living in the hallways of Talybont South have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.
Many are voluntarily self-isolating, so Cardiff and Vale’s Regional Test, Trace and Protection Service has begun testing on-site as a precaution.
A team of nurses from the community will visit the site and students will be asked to take a voluntary coronavirus test. They will then be asked to self-isolate until the test result is known.
Cardiff University also said it was not a lock and only applied to specific blocks or houses identified in Talybont South only.
The latest figures from Friday 9 October show that two more people have died of coronavirus in Wales and 766 new positive cases have also been diagnosed after a laboratory test, an increase from 638 on Thursday.
Who is handling the coronavirus crisis better? Mark Drakeford or Boris Johnson:
Cardiff reported the highest number of new cases on Friday with 143. The seven-day infection rate in the city is 148.8 cases per 100,000 residents.
No additional restrictions have been placed on those who live in Talybont or any other student accommodation in the city.
Fiona Kinghorn, executive director of public health for the region, said: “Effective testing and tracing is essential to stop the spread of Covid-19 in our communities.
“This precautionary measure has been taken in part to make testing as easy as possible for this group of people who may be new to the city. The testing team will also be available to discuss any concerns or questions students may have about the virus.
“Everyone, regardless of where they live, should continue to follow national public health advice to wash their hands regularly, wear a mask indoors in public spaces, and stay away from others whenever possible. Together we can stop the spread of Covid. – 19. “
Local lockdown restrictions are already in place in Cardiff and much of Wales.
It means that around 2.35 million people are now in local lockdowns in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy, Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly borough, Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Newport, Neath Port Talbot, the Vale of Glamorgan, Bangor and Torfaen.
(Image: Echo of South Wales)
The university’s Vice Chancellor for Education and Students, Claire Morgan, also emailed the students.
Get stories like this right to your inbox with our newsletters.
It said: “I am writing to inform you about the increase in coronavirus (Covid-19) tests that are being carried out in one of our university residences. Do not be alarmed by my email, my intention is to assure you that we are doing everything possible to prioritize the health and safety of our university community.
“In coordination with the NHS track, trace and protection team, we have agreed to offer students at some of our Talybont South residences a voluntary NHS coronavirus test.
“This follows an increase in positive tests and students self-isolating in this specific set of residences. You may see community nurses on site this weekend, in personal protective equipment, with the support of a Mobile Test Unit .
“I realize this news may be of concern to both other Talybont residents and our students in general. As such, I want all students to be aware of this increased testing and to let you know how we are handling the situation. .
“Please note that this does not constitute a ‘lockdown’ as we have seen at other universities, but rather is a more limited preventive measure to help control the spread of the virus for the safety and well-being of our students and community.”
[ad_2]
