MORE than 100 students have tested positive for coronavirus at Sunderland University in the latest wave of infections on student campuses.
The university said that 102 students and nine staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 with cases “largely clustered” in student accommodation.
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At the end of September, Sunderland University confirmed that there were just 40 students and four members of staff infected.
The increase comes as higher education institutions across the country are witnessing a surge in cases as freshers move across Britain to start university.
It has been revealed that 474 students and five members of staff have tested positive at the University of Sheffield, while Manchester University has more than 380 cases.
Manchester now has the highest rate of cases in England – in the seven days to October 1 it recorded 2,740 cases.
This equates to 495.6 cases per 100,000 people, up from 223.2 in the previous week.
Last week it was revealed that around 1,700 students in Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley campus and Cambridge Halls were told to self-isolate “with immediate effect” after freshers hosted parties.
University towns such as Nottingham, Sheffield and Oxford could be plunged into lockdown “in days” after missed coronavirus cases were recounted over the weekend.
Public Health England admitted on Sunday they had missed 15,841 cases from their official stats – with daily infection rates shooting up to a record high of 22,961.
Students across the UK have been forced to self-isolate in their accommodation – with many only knowing their fellow flatmates for less than a week.
For many, learning has moved online – causing students to question why they are still having to pay £9,250 for tuition.
Lecturers are now planning to strike over being forced to complete face-to-face teaching in some institutions, according to the UCU.
Hundreds of students tested positive for coronavirus at Northumbria University – days after many were pictured breaking the rule of six.
Around 770 people are infected with the virus at the uni in Newcastle-upon-Tyne – although just ten per cent are showing Covid symptoms.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is set to plunge millions of Brits in the North into tougher lockdown on Monday as Covid numbers rocket.
Despite facing a mutiny from local leaders, MPs and even his closest allies, the Prime Minister will order pubs and restaurants to shut in Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
After Nicola Sturgeon locked down boozers in Scotland for at least two weeks, the PM is facing open rebellion over plans for stricter measures on ten million in the North East and North West.
Under new lockdown measures for the worst affected areas, hospitality will shut but schools, offices and shops will remain open.
Ministers are still torn on what to do about hairdressers, gyms and leisure centres.
