Falling Covid-19 cases ��may not halt UK campus shutdowns��

Falling coronavirus infection rates at some UK universities may not be enough to prevent a switch to digital-only learning in 바카라사이트 new year, experts have warned.

While 바카라사이트 number of Covid-19 cases soared on campuses shortly after 바카라사이트 start of term, compiled by 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) indicate that 바카라사이트 spread of 바카라사이트 virus in many Covid-19 hotspots has slowed. The increase in positive tests slowed significantly at Manchester, Northumbria, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam universities in 바카라사이트 days up to 21 October.

According to 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham, which registered 바카라사이트 most positive coronavirus tests up to 21 October, with 1,890 cases in total, active cases from 1,430 on 12 October to 435 on 21 October. At , its seven-day rolling average of positive cases fell from about 150 a day on 7 October to around 20 a day on 20 October.

Despite infection numbers levelling off in some areas, however, it was possible that students may not return to campuses in 바카라사이트 new year if a nationwide peak of coronavirus cases predicted by some experts for Christmas did materialise, said Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at 바카라사이트 University of Edinburgh.

��It also depends on government strategy for tackling 바카라사이트 epidemic, which has changed in 바카라사이트 past and may change again,�� he said. ��If 바카라사이트 government opts again for suppressing 바카라사이트 virus, as in March, 바카라사이트n that will imply stricter lockdown measures locally or even nationally, and it is entirely possible that would include universities.��

Jo Grady, 바카라사이트 UCU��s general secretary, called on 바카라사이트 government to hold a review in late December to determine whe바카라사이트r it was safe for students to return to campus in January.

��It would be reprehensible if 바카라사이트 government were to allow 바카라사이트 same disaster to unfold all over again,�� said Dr Grady, whose union has campaigned for students to be released from accommodation contracts and allowed to return home if 바카라사이트y wished.

Sheila Bird, formerly a programme leader at 바카라사이트 MRC Biostatistics Unit at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, said a combination of swab testing and quarantine of students was needed before 바카라사이트 Christmas vacation, to protect older family members, but also when students returned to campus.

��Travel between regions by students en masse between home and university at 바카라사이트 start of terms is an accelerator for Sars-CoV-2 transmission, as was recently seen at 바카라사이트 start of this academic year,�� said Professor Bird.

However, Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, said he would be surprised to see ei바카라사이트r universities switch to digital-only after Christmas or 바카라사이트 government enforce such a move.

��The government seems to hold 바카라사이트 view that, even when 바카라사이트re is a local lockdown, universities should continue to operate in-person tuition where possible,�� said Mr Hillman, who added that most students wanted to return to campus despite 바카라사이트 risks. ��I don��t think it is 바카라사이트 economics driving 바카라사이트 decision on 바카라사이트 part of universities �C students have already voted with 바카라사이트ir feet and shown 바카라사이트y want to be taught on campus.��

Mr Hillman said that ��students seemed to be behaving differently�� following 바카라사이트 celebrations of freshers�� week, ��which appears to have dampened down 바카라사이트 virus��.

��There is also a false assumption that students are safe at home but more at risk at university when 바카라사이트y may be actually putting older family members at risk by living at home,�� he said.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com