Study in the time of COVID-19 (2019/20 intake): online learning, the rule of six and who knows what's next? Anything could happen!

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Following on from the previous thread as our young adults start their second year at universities up and down the land (and some overseas too!).

@bigTillyMint The recent DHSS study estimated 1% for the late teen/young adult age band, but testing of sixth formers at DS1's school seems to be running at about 2.5% positive so fudging a bit...

Good grief.

Thanks for sharing @Bingobango69. I shouldn't really be surprised but the numbers are hard to digest.

It looks like each uni will be providing regular updates on Covid infections moving forwards.

I found this for Durham.

www.dur.ac.uk/coronavirus/cases/

Keep an eye on unicovid.uk/ to get it all in one place - and some stuff universities would rather you not see.

Nice set of data @Bingobango69

The Durham numbers include figures:

“taken from all staff and students - not just those living, studying and working on campus/in Durham City*.We have around 4,000 staff members and 20,500 students (of which approx. 2,000 are currently studying entirely online).”

So the actual number of cases in Durham is unclear.

@Baytreemum This map indicates 65 cases in Durham City Centre for the past 7 days which will include university students and staff.

coronavirus.data.gov.uk/cases

@Jano69 Thanks - does that include the extra “missed” cases though?

🤔 Not sure....

The update from DS is that neither he nor gf can get a test. Probably because both not having symptoms (yet). Apparently she visited his student flat earlier in the week, then one of her 6th form bubble tested positive, so she was told to self isolate. She didn't find out until Sunday. The classmate caught it from a Sheffield student.

DS's health issues at the weekend put down by doctor to overconsumption of alcohol, followed by too much water, causing an insulin spike and an electrolyte imbalance, so not covid related.
However, there is still a risk from gf so he is self isolating and has told his flatmates to do the same. They are paying no attention.
He has done his utmost to decontaminate our house so we can now go back. His gf's dad got him back to uni so that is a relief for us. He is also in Sheffield but at Hallam , so there is a weird connection. He mentioned earlier that Uni of Sheffield has an outbreak. I can't see any way that any uni is going to avoid mass cases.

Percentage wise, the numbers are pretty low. For DU, 3 of them are in DSs house

Just seen your update @simbobs - sounds like at least you’ll be able to go home. Do you need to go back immediately?

@bigTillyMint no, we can't anyway as we are overseas. We had so many hols cancelled this year that we took the chance to go. DH is so annoyed with DS that he doesn't want to see him until June! DS really disappointed that flatmates not taking self isolating seriously, but I don't feel the risk is that great if I'm honest. His gf saw her classmate on Monday last week and is fine. DS now thinks he has a bit of a cough, but that could be something and nothing. I'm surprised at the lack of tests, though. They can't even get a kit sent out.

@simbobs, good that you’re not going back yet - surely any virus on surfaces will have died by then (and airborne a much greater risk)
I think you have to be really persistent with trying to get a test, at all times if the day!

The last communication from DS mentioned his national insurance number, which I can easily locate at home, but which seems not to be in his possession. Is it one of the things that is needed when applying for student finance? If so, it may be possible to find online. The lack of this won't have helped, but his only truly decent flatmate has his and can't get a test either.

Out of interest, why do you need an NI number to have a COVID test (wouldn't an NHS number be more appropriate)? Yes, I'm sure it was needed for student finance @simbobs. Good that your DS is back to his flat okay.

They were talking last week about rationing tests were they not, so it doesn't surprise me that our young people are having issues getting them. Particularly when you throw an extra 12K+ overlooked people and their contacts into the mix since then.

So it's looking as if other university towns and cities could be about to go into some type of local lockdowns too - Sheffield and Oxford mentioned.

This is a really interesting article about the spread of COVID-19 - it's long but I found it fascinating.

@Newmodelarmy he said it was to prove his identity. I really don't know if that is correct.

You can't have to have a NI number to get a covid test, as you don't get one until you're 16yo.

Interesting article. Definitely worth a read.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-privacy-information/testing-for-coronavirus-privacy-information-quick-read#what-personal-data-we-collect

From DS2's experience in initially trying to obtain a home test, he was asked for his NI number, which he couldn't find, but he was able to book a drive though test without it. I can't remember whether the NI number was a prerequisite for those who should have one (he is 17, so has been issued with an NI number), or whether it was the alternative to his NHS number, which he probably should have been able to find, as he has regular hospital appointments, but probably couldn't. We only came into the loop when he asked me what his NI number was, which, of course, I didn't have immediately to hand for the by now rather impatient person at the other end of the telephone line, either.

Still, the 23 mile round trip to the testing centre might have turned out to be my only chance to get out of the house for a fortnight, so I was happy for him to settle for that.

Ds1 did a covid test via the post a month or so ago. He wasn't asked NI number.

Or nhs number. He doesn't have either and didn't ask me for one of them.

It just seems a bit shocking in a way that they are asking you to prove your ID for a COVID test - it's not the way to sell it to people I wouldn't have thought? They should be making it as easy as possible not turning into something akin to filling in your tax return!

It all seems very hit and miss... DS and 2 housemates had tests delivered ... the other 4 housemates couldn't get them .. something to do with the website saying they couldn't prove their identity ?

I’ve just had a thought about having to prove identity for postal tests. I wonder what the black market would be in requesting a postal test then selling it on to someone. The identity check would make this less likely maybe? There’s been so much fraud associated with covid and so many medicines that are prescribed are sold on that I wouldn’t put it past some individuals to make money out of testing.

So what happens if you don't get a test? Just do your time in SI and then 'self-release'?