Links and information about Covid and the University’s response.

This update was accurate at the time of writing, but the first port of call for public health guidance on Coronavirus should be Public Health England, Public Health Agency (NI), NHS Scotland and/or Public Health Wales. Daily government updates for the public can be accessed here and Covid-19: Government guidance on infection prevention and control (IPC) here. 

Introduction…

This page is, (like the website), somewhat of a work in progress. The idea is to be a one stop shop for Coronavirus/University information. The problem is there is so much of it…..

Most of the details posted are taken from Unite, The University, and NHS/Government sources. Links to the originals have been included.

LINKS!

LATEST NEWS!

• Ventilation Test PDF/Word file
  Ventilation Test PDF Scroll for Word file or click HERE Word File. Back to main page. https://uniteuoc.org.uk/ventilation-risk-assessment-tool/ Airborne.cam article, https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/free-online-tool-calculates-risk-of-covid-19-transmission-in-poorly-ventilated-spaces Link to Airborne.cam tool, https://airborne.cam/
• Ventilation Risk Assessment Tool
  Ventilation Risk Assessment Tool (Document Cut and pasted from, the Safety Office… https://universityofcambridgecloud.sharepoint.com/sites/COVIDRecovery/SitePages/Staff.aspx https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-guidance/miscellaneous/hsd211m-ventilation-risk-assessment-tool or down load them from our website… https://uniteuoc.org.uk/ventilation-test-pdf-word-file/ ) Airborne.cam is a “put in your numbers” Ventilation tool, https://airborne.cam/ Find out more about it here, https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/free-online-tool-calculates-risk-of-covid-19-transmission-in-poorly-ventilated-spaces Ventilation Risk Assessment Tool Version Reviewed by: Title Tracking Date Alison Gower HSD211M Ventilation Risk… Read more: Ventilation Risk Assessment Tool
• Update from the Vice-Chancellor
  (NOTE FROM ADMIN: if you want to see the original text from the Vice-Chancellor, I’ve put it at the bottom scroll down or, click here…) 19 March 2021 This is an updated version of the Vice-Chancellor’s message sent yesterday, which contained an inaccuracy about waiting times at the Student Counselling Service. Waiting times are currently… Read more: Update from the Vice-Chancellor
• Lateral Flow Tests 5/3/21
  Lateral flow testingThe University is to stop offering lateral flow testing kits. Apparently the kits, which enabled staff to self-administer a Covid virus test, are considered to be too unreliable.
• Update from the Vice-Chancellor 04 Mar 2021
  A brief message to staff and students from the Vice-Chancellor about the current situation of uncertainty around students’ return. Dear all,  Planning for next term continues across the University and colleges in a context of continuing uncertainty.  My message today, however, is simple: we are not in the clear yet. I said last week that… Read more: Update from the Vice-Chancellor 04 Mar 2021

• Lockdown Latest 2/2/21

  Lockdown advice taken from .gov.uk website.

  2/2/21

  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

  Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

  You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

  You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.

  Leaving home

  You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart). Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
  • attend education or childcare – for those eligible

  If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay in your local area – unless it is necessary to go further, for example to go to work.

  Staying in your local area means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

  If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you are advised to only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. We recommend that you do not attend work

  Meeting others

  You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

  You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

  You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

  Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble.

  Education

  Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until 8 March at the earliest.

  Early years settings remain open.

  Higher Education provision will remain online until 8 March at the earliest for all except future critical worker courses.

  Who this guidance is for

  You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law. There is additional guidance for households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.

  If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you are advised to follow shielding guidance. We recommend that you do not attend work, school, college or university. You should limit the time you spend outside the home. You should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

Links:
University Latest Covid News.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus?ucam-ref=home-annoucement&ucam-ref=announcement-b

For Staff.

https://universityofcambridgecloud.sharepoint.com/sites/COVIDRecovery/SitePages/Staff.aspx

UNITE.

Unite Mental Health Guide

Working From Home

UNITE National website.
https://unitetheunion.org/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/

Government Advice:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Covid Helpdesk:
COVID-Helpdesk@admin.cam.ac.uk
The COVID Helpdesk is a central part of the University’s response to the COVID pandemic. The Helpdesk works closely with local and national public health teams, with Colleges and the NHS Test and Trace service, to record and monitor suspected and confirmed cases, to identify and support staff and students who test positive for COVID-19, and to deal with a potential outbreak of COVID-19.