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The government have released a document with principles for managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission associated with higher education.
Prof Peter Openshaw, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, said:
“The SAGE report on higher education, published today, highlights the risk that mobilization of large numbers of young people at the start of the university term may spread coronavirus, leading to new outbreaks.
“This risk needs to be balanced against the imperative to re-open universities to receive the exceptionally large number of students who have been successful in gaining places. Universities have invested heavily in measures to minimise the risk of transmission in classrooms and laboratories, the main remaining risk undoubtedly being transmission during social interactions.
“Universities have extensive plans for systematic testing for coronavirus, aiming to detect outbreaks in time to prevent wider spread. While universities conduct their own testing and contact tracing, isolation and health education strategies, it is vital that there is alignment and coordination with local borough Public Health officers to avoid duplication of effort and ensure a collaborative approach that takes advantage of the skills in both sectors.
“With all these measures in place, there is every reason to believe that universities can open safely.”
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