ANU: Vast majority of cases cleared from ANU student residences
No new COVID-19 cases were reported in any of the University’s residences today, with more than 700 ANU students living in on campus residences already cleared by ACT Health to leave self-isolation after fully recovering from COVID-19.
As reported by ACT Health – who are the authority responsible for confirming and reporting official case numbers – a total of around 800 of the University’s student residences have reported positive tests this semester. Only 100 of these are currently required to isolate, with more scheduled to leave isolation over the weekend.
ANU Chief Operating Officer, Mr Paul Duldig, who has been leading a specialist team of staff and students supporting all residents in self-isolation, said the latest figures were “very welcome news”.
“While case numbers across the ACT have been slightly higher in the last few days, cases in our residences are trending rapidly downwards and now account for a negligible proportion of the territory’s cases,” Mr Duldig said.
“Over the last week the number of students in residence who have reported they are COVID-19 positive has steadily and significantly trended down from the peak on Monday last week. Only one per cent of the 4,800 students living in our residences are currently self-isolating.”
Mr Duldig paid tribute to the ANU students who needed to self-isolate as well as everyone who supported them.
“For some of our students it has been a difficult start to semester and certainly not the one any of us would have wanted,” Mr Duldig said.
“On behalf of our entire community, I thank the students and staff in the residences for their goodwill and patience.
“Thanks also to the many people across our campus community who quickly put their hands up and swung into action to support and care for any of our students who needed to self-isolate.
“In particular, thanks to the many students who helped their fellow residents and their community; whether it be with the deliveries of meals, reassuring their fellow residents, answering their questions or providing other essential assistance.
“I also thank the dedicated team of staff who have worked hard over the last two weeks to make sure students who needed our care got it.”