Please report self-isolation, symptoms and test results to us. This information is used to help us support you, prevent outbreaks and manage any cases of COVID-19.
COVID-19 reporting: self-isolation, symptoms and test results
When you need to self-isolate
Self-isolate immediately if:
- you have any COVID-19 symptoms
- you've tested positive for COVID-19
- you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive
- someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
- you're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app
- you arrive in the UK from a country with a high COVID-19 risk (quarantine)
If you think you've been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, but you do not have symptoms and have not been told to self-isolate, continue to follow social distancing advice.
NHS guidance: when to self-isolate and what to do
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation means staying at home and keeping away from other people who you do not live with.
It means not leaving your house or flat for any reason including going to university, work or public areas. Any exercise should be taken at home.
Self-isolation is really important because if we get it right, it will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection your household could pass on to others in the community.
Supporting you through self-isolation or COVID-19 illness
Once you report your self-isolation, symptoms or test results to the University, our Covid Advice Team will contact you to make sure you are okay.
Please keep your phone handy so that we can keep in contact with you and help to arrange medical care if necessary. We know that this could be a worry, especially if you’re far from home or have any underlying health needs.
How the University can support you
If it is safe to do so, you could also:
- contact a friend or family member
- tell other people in the household
- contact your doctor or GP (register at the University Medical Centre)
- get non-urgent medical advice by phoning the NHS on 111
- contact the Student Hub
If you’re feeling really unwell and think it might be an emergency, dial 999 for emergency services.
Don’t attend planned social events
Unfortunately, you’ll be unable to socialise in person when you are self-isolating.
Socialising in person will put other people’s lives in danger, particularly vulnerable people from all age groups who may be at risk of serious illness if they contract the virus.
This means you cannot socialise outside your household with anyone else, even for events with clubs, societies, people on your course, family members you do not live with or any other friendship groups.
Please help us all to protect the lives of people around us by following the government guidance, and if you feel well enough to socialise, do this safely online.
Living arrangements during self-isolation
You and your flatmates are in this together
If one person in your household needs to self-isolate because they have symptoms or have tested positive, everyone else in your household must also self-isolate. This is really important to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect lives.
For you all, this means not leaving the house or flat for any reason including going to campus, work or public areas and any exercise should be taken at home. This will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection your household could pass on to others in the community.
COVID-19 reporting: self-isolation, symptoms and test results
Using shared bathrooms and kitchens
Anyone who is self-isolating will be doing so with people they live with. You can therefore all use the shared areas within the household or flat, but you should practise good hygiene:
- Catch it: germs spread easily
Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze - Bin it: germs can live for several hours on tissues
Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible - Kill it: hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch
Clean your hands as soon as you can after touching a surface
NHS guidance: how to avoid spreading COVID-19 to people you live with
Visitors and outside contact
While you are self-isolating, you and members of your household need to stay indoors. You can't have any outside visitors except when food or supplies are delivered to your door.
No-one can come and collect you while you are self-isolating, but please keep in touch with friends, family and the University because people will be worried about you and may be able to provide help. For example, someone could order you an online food delivery or deliver food or essential supplies to the front door for you to collect.