Rising COVID-19 infection rates in Reading and reporting positive test results

Blue background. Text in white: Rising COVID-19 infection rates in Reading and reporting positive test results. UoR Logo

This week, working with Reading Borough Council and Public Health England, we have identified an increase in cases of COVID-19 among our student community, particularly those living in the Redlands area.  It continues to be very important that you let us know straight away if you test positive, to minimise the risk of further transmission within our community.

All students who have notified us that they have tested positive are in self-isolation and they, along with any close University contacts, are being supported by our COVID-19 Support & Behaviour Team. If you have any concerns, for your own welfare or for someone else, please contact our team at covid-support@reading.ac.uk.

While this increase is in line with the national situation, as younger people who have not yet been vaccinated are most at risk, case numbers in Reading are very high and it is important that you take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of catching or transmitting the virus.

Remember that it can take up to three weeks after receiving the first dose of the vaccine for you to develop some immunity, and you can still transmit the virus to others even if you have had one or both doses and have no symptoms.

That’s why it’s so important that you take every precaution to minimise the risk – remembering hands, face, space and fresh air, and taking regular lateral flow tests.

PCR testing continues to be available locally (including at London Road) for anyone living in the area with symptoms, to help reduce transmission in the wider community and isolate any further cases.

If you are identified as a close contact, you can also arrange to have a single PCR test through the government website as you are at higher risk, even if you do not have symptoms, which we encourage you to do.

Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, shared the following message for students:

“We would like to thank those students who have reported these positive cases to us quickly, which enables us to identify close University contacts and minimise further transmission. It is vital that you use the online form on Essentials to let us know if you test positive as soon as possible.

It’s great that so many students took up the offer to have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the local ‘surge vaccination’ centres in Reading and Wokingham, and we strongly encourage everyone in our community to have the vaccine as soon as possible. You can book on the NHS website.”

Further information about symptoms, where to get a lateral flow test, and how to report a positive result is published on Essentials.

Walk-in vaccination centre in Reading extended to Friday 9 July

It’s not too late to get a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Reading as the walk-in clinic is now operating for an extra seven days at Reading Borough Council Civic Offices, Bridge Street RG1 2LU.

With more than 3,200 people being vaccinated in just over two weeks, the service has been extended to Friday 9th July.

The walk-in service is open to all adults aged 18 and over who live, work or study in Reading and who have not yet had any doses of a vaccine, including UoR students and staff.

The clinic is open:

Saturday and Sunday 9:00 – 17:00

Monday – Friday 9:30 – 17:30.

No appointment is needed but you must take your Campus Card as proof of ID.  Check Reading Borough Council’s Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates.

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