600 students in isolation after 124 test positive at university halls

The number of infected students at Glasgow University was ‘likely to be higher’(Picture: Getty)

At least 124 students have tested positive for coronavirus in a major outbreak at Glasgow University.

The university said the number of infected students was ‘likely to be higher’, with 600 people forced into isolation.

The outbreak is centred on the Murano and Cairncross halls of residence in the city, and it appears to have spread during Freshers’ Week earlier this month.

Students in Scotland have been given a strong warning against house parties, amid further outbreaks at universities across the country.

There have been outbreaks across several universities in Scotland (Picture: Getty)

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Some students at Dundee and Aberdeen universities have already been asked to self-isolate.

During the daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, national clinical director Jason Leitch said: ‘We need you not to have house parties, I could not be more clear.’

Nicola Sturgeon said the ‘significant outbreak at the University of Glasgow’ had impacted on the daily Covid-19 infection figure for the greater Glasgow area.

A total of 224 cases were recorded across the health board area in the past day, she said.

Students have been warned against having house parties amid a huge outbreak at Glasgow University (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Prof Leitch said he had spoken to student leaders about the latest restrictions on Tuesday through the National Union of Students.

He said: ‘We discussed what more they could do and what more messaging they could help us with.

‘There are now a number of outbreaks in our higher and further education institutions around the country, with significant numbers of positive cases.

‘We need every student across Scotland to help us stop the spread of the virus.’

It is ‘vital’ those asked to self-isolate do so for a full 14 days, he said, remaining in accommodation and not going out for any reason.

Those self-isolating must try to avoid close contact with others in shared accommodation, he said.

Confirming the rules on household meetings also apply to student accommodation, he added: ‘Parties are not allowed. I’m sorry and I hope they come back soon.’

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