The figures on this page show the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases each week from Monday 5 October 2020. They also include data from our Pooled (Asymptomatic) Screening programme.

We have introduced a robust testing regime for our approximately 12,600 staff members and 23,000 students. For students resident in our Colleges (and from January 2021, the majority of those living in private accommodation), we offer a weekly asymptomatic screening programme. For staff and students with possible COVID-19 symptoms we have two dedicated University testing pods.

We anticipate a significant number of positive asymptomatic cases due to the proactive nature of our testing. The figures are not comparable with other institutions that are conducting symptomatic - but not asymptomatic - tests. Our approach allows us to identify cases early, support students to self-isolate and therefore minimise transmission by reducing the time between infection and identification.

Total number of positive cases identified through University testing programmes

Week Total no. of positive cases
5-11 October 34
12-18 October 154
19-25 October 156
26 October - 1 November 78
2-8 November 70
9-15 November 234
16-22 November 52
23-29 November 6
30 November - 6 December  9
7 December - 13 December 12
14 Dec 2020 - 10 Jan 2021 49
11-17 January 27

The data above represent the number of cases as identified through the University's testing programmes. 

All cases have been followed-up and, where appropriate, are being supported to isolate.

  Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Total
Positive staff cases 2 0 5 3 5 8 4 1 0 27

 

Detailed breakdown by type of testing

Positive cases identified via University pooled (asymptomatic) testing

Week No. students screened No. of confirmed positive cases Positivity rate (%)
5-11 October 3,463 12 0.3
12-18 October 3,675 34 0.9
19-25 October 4,660 38 0.8
26 Oct - 1 Nov 5,494 38 0.7
2-8 November 4,583 23 0.5
9-15 November 5,339 80 1.5
16-22 November 4,138 27 0.7
23-29 November 9,329 3 0.03
30 Nov - 6 Dec 10,121* 0 -
7 Dec - 10 Jan 1,427** 8 0.6
11-17 Jan 2021 1,816** 16 0.9

* The pooled testing programme was expanded to include students living in private accommodation (i.e. that not owned or maintained by their College). There were 735 students tested as part of this expanded activity.

** Between 7 Dec 2020 and 17 Jan 2021, students were screened individually.

Cases are counted after confirmatory individual tests. These confirmatory tests are not included in the ‘No. of students screened’ figure to avoid double counting.

While we establish the pooled screening programme and monitor the number of infections, the programme is operating at reduced scale and not all eligible students are being screened each week.

Weekly report from pooled testing programme

Positive cases identified via University symptomatic testing

Week No. tests (students and staff) No. of confirmed positive cases Positivity rate (%)
5-11 October 230 22 10
12-18 October 411 120 29
19-25 October 409 105 26
26 Oct - 1 Nov 290 40 14
2-8 November 242 47 19
9-15 November 398 154 39
16-22 November 188 25 13
23-29 November 92 3 3
30 Nov - 6 Dec 71 9 13
7-13 Dec 69 4 4
14 Dec 2020-10 Jan 2021 508 49 10
11-17 Jan 101 11 11

Positive cases identified via other routes (e.g. NHS testing)

Week No. of confirmed positive cases
5-11 October 0
12-18 October 0
19-25 October 1
26 Oct - 1 Nov 0
2-8 November 0

Additional focused individual testing in response to a cluster of cases

Week No. tests No. of confirmed positive cases
19-25 October 117 12