Reporting on coronavirus cases in our University community – message from University Secretary, Roger Gair, sent 7 October 2020
Email issued: Wednesday 7 October 2020, From: Internal Communications, Subject: Reporting on coronavirus cases in our University community
Dear colleagues,
As term gets under way, the health and safety of our University community remains our priority. To ensure transparency, we are publishing information about the numbers of positive covid-19 test results reported to the University.
From today, we will publish a weekly update showing daily numbers of positive covid-19 test results reported to the University from within our community of staff and students.
You can find the latest published case numbers on our coronavirus website, along with answers to key questions you may have about this. The information will represent the confirmed cases from the previous week, with a short lag to allow for accurate reporting.
As a University, we’re keeping in close contact with colleagues at Public Health England, Leeds City Council, NHS and many other stakeholders. We are also regularly reviewing our approach to managing individual cases to make sure any remedial action – including extra cleaning – takes place promptly.
While we are publishing case numbers for transparency, we are fully mindful that behind each number is an individual student or colleague, with their own needs and concerns. Protecting the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone in our community is our absolute priority.
We know this is a difficult time and that many of you have understandable concerns, particularly about our students who are self-isolating and the support in place for them.
We encourage students to let us know they are self-isolating as soon as possible and to access the extensive support measures the University and Leeds University Union have put in place. We are contacting them by email and telephone to provide reassurance, information about sources of support and practical assistance.
This support and practical assistance for self-isolating students covers:
- options for getting food and essential supplies,
- accessing induction and welcome activities online,
- safety guidance,
- help if a student has problems with others, and
- confidential mental health and wellbeing services and how to stay connected with campus life.
May I also take this opportunity to reiterate the range of support on offer to you as a member of staff during this time.
As the situation develops, we will continue to do all we can to support our staff and students, including those who are self-isolating. By working together, we can all play a part in keeping each other safe: please remember to follow our working together to stay safe guidelines
With my best wishes,
Roger Gair
University Secretary
Information about support for self-isolating students
Information about support for staff wellbeing
See also
Read copies of email communications issued to staff (from 11 March 2020) which have included coronavirus advice or updates.
Posted in: All Staff Email