Glasgow University sees major COVID-19 outbreak, 124 test positive

At least 124 students at the University of Glasgow in Scotland have tested positive for COVID-19, with over 600 people self-isolating across the campus residences, BBC reported Thursday.

The outbreak is largely linked to parties and gatherings at two student residences – Murano Street and Cairncross – during the Freshers Week from September 12 to 14, and the actual number of infections is "likely to be higher," according to the university.

The university also said food and other supplies are being provided for students affected by the novel coronavirus. Medical advice on well-being and mental health has also been made available.

Students are seen on the University of Glasgow campus in Scotland, UK, September 23, 2020. /CFP

College re-openings likely to fuel COVID-19: study

Since the beginning of the fall semester, several colleges and universities across the U.S. and Europe have seen students gradually returning to the campuses despite the risk of COVID-19 infection.

However, a recent study showed that college and university re-openings in the U.S. in late summer were likely to cause over 3,000 additional novel coronavirus cases a day in the country.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Indiana University, the University of Washington and Davidson College noted significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in counties where colleges had reopened for in-person classes, especially among students who are from areas with higher incidences of the novel coronavirus.

(Cover: Students at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, UK, September 23, 2020. /CFP)