Student mass Covid testing begins across Yorkshire universities for Spring term return

Universities across the region have reopened temporary testing centres where hundreds of thousands of students will be checked for Covid this month as they have a staggered return to campus for the Spring term.

At the University of Hull, an asymptomatic testing site reopened today, (January 4) at the institute’s Allam Sport Centre.

The tests are lateral flow tests, which means that results can be rapidly turned around within an hour.

Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: "We are really encouraging our staff and students to be tested – to help reduce the risk of transmission.

"We anticipate this next round of testing will once again help give students and staff the confidence that they can return to campus while keeping friends, classmates and colleagues safe."

Professor Susan Lea, confirmed, for the Christmas exodus of students, more than 2600 tests were carried out, from its mass testing site with just two positive results.

The university is using its sports centre as a temporary testing site throughout January.

"I would like to thank all of our students who have participated in our mass testing programme to date – their support in ensuring we help reduce the transmission of the virus is very much appreciated by us all," said Professor Lea.

She added: "I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work, energy and commitment of all the staff and students involved in setting up the centre and delivering an excellent service within a very tight timeframe – the success of the centre is as a result of their dedication."

In West Yorkshire the University of Leeds has opened up temporary testing centres from today until February 5 for those returning to Leeds who don’t have symptoms of covid-19.

While the University of Bradford will be open for testing from tomorrow (January 5), for students and staff returning to campus, in line with Government guidance.

A spokesman from the university confirmed to The Yorkshire Post 631 tests were carried out in December with one positive result.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, York St John University, open it's test site today, run by the City of York Council, where testing is also available to secondary school pupils and members of the local community.

A spokeswoman from the university confirmed ahead of the government’s ‘travel window’ at the end of term, 1841 tests were processed in it's rapid response covid testing site on campus with no positive results.

Karen Bryan, the Vice-Chancellor from York St John University, said: "We are encouraging all our students to be tested ahead of their return to University to help reduce the risk of COVID transmission.

"Taking part in testing provides peace of mind and plays an essential role in keeping our whole community safe during this worrying time. We are pleased to be working in partnership with the City of York Council to provide access to testing and I am grateful to all our staff and students who have taken part in mass testing to date."

Meanwhile the University of York confirmed to The Yorkshire Post it started it's mass testing of students yesterday. A spokesman from the university said 7,762 tests had been carried out pre-Christmas with two positive cases.

"As a university we need to do what we can to limit virus transmission and we applaud the responsible behaviour seen at the end of last term with so many students taking up the opportunity to have a Covid test before they returned home," a spokesman from the University of York added. "As we start the Spring term, we expect all students to get tested on campus, using the same scheme we ran successfully in our Sports Centre before Christmas."

Elsewhere the University of Sheffield also started yesterday (January 3) while Sheffield Hallam University will begin Covid-19 tests for students without symptoms from January 11.

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