University staff and students have been urged to join the rest of Nottinghamshire in following stricter guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

It follows a dramatic increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire as well as a rise in the rate of infection.

The University has now published data about active cases of COVID-19 within its community.

Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Council leaders have said that they expect the Government to introduce tougher rules in both City and County early next week – similar to those introduced in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.

How this will affect the University will be outlined once any measures are announced and introduced, although we are not anticipating changes to the current blended approach to teaching or our research activities.

Ahead of that, all councils in Nottinghamshire are asking people to act now and not mix indoors with people from other households.

Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health for Nottingham:  “We are seeing a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in Nottingham. Our rate of infection is now rising higher than many other parts of the country. This is a significant and worrying change.

“It means the measures we currently have in place are no longer enough to stop the spread of the virus in our city. We will have to do more to keep people safe in Nottingham.

“We would urge people to take action now and not mix indoors with people from other households. It remains OK to mix with those in your support bubbles unless someone has tested positive or has symptoms.

“We would ask people who have symptoms of COVID-19 – high temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste or smell – to self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling 119.

“And we strongly advise young people, including students in the city, to remain in their social bubbles and not mix in their homes with people from other households.”

Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin said: “COVID-19 does not recognise geographical boundaries so we must stand together with our local authority partners to do all we can to fight this virus across all our communities.  The rapid and sustained increase in the numbers of positive cases is a serious cause for concern and the very dramatic rates in the city are a clear sign that action is needed now across the whole of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”

Cllr David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, added: “It is important to remember that there is no vaccine for COVID-19 at present. Our best defence is to wash our hands, wear a face covering and maintain social distancing. It is important to acknowledge that the majority of people are following the correct behaviours and playing their part in keeping our city safe – and we thank them for this.

“However, it is clear from the rate of infection that we must take more precautions. Nobody can afford to be complacent. Everyone needs to ask themselves, ‘am I doing enough to guard against a disease that could harm me, or the person next to me or my loved ones?’ If not, you need to change your approach and stick rigidly to the rules, if we are to see a reduction in the number of cases that are currently sweeping through our city.

“This will not be easy for any of us. We have been living with COVID-19 in our city and our communities for over eight months. Our lives have been restricted, we feel inconvenienced, and we all have worry and anxiety over our health and wellbeing. Some of us, sadly, may have lost loved ones to the virus.

“We are reaching a critical point in managing the spread of the virus as we head towards winter. So, we have to keep going. We have to continue to work together by sticking to the rules and following a few important rules and guidelines. This will help to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Nottingham.”

The rate of infection for Nottinghamshire County is 106 per 100,000, coupled with the significant rate of infection in Nottingham City which currently sits at more than 400 per 100,000. The most recent data for the city can be found here.