Female student, 18, dies after she was found unconscious in halls of residence at Newcastle University

 

  • Medics rushed to Richardson Road where Park View halls are found on Saturday
  • The teenager's death is not 'Covid-19 related', Northumbria Police confirmed
  • Death came days after 800 students tested positive for coronavirus in the city

An 18-year-old student has died at a Newcastle University halls of residence after being discovered unconscious. 

Paramedics rushed to Richardson Road in Newcastle - where the Park View student village halls are located - early on Saturday morning.

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene and her death is not 'Covid-19 related', police have confirmed.

An 18-year-old died at a Newcastle University halls of residence yesterday after being discovered unconscious. Pictured: Police at the scene

An 18-year-old died at a Newcastle University halls of residence yesterday after being discovered unconscious. Pictured: Police at the scene

Paramedics rushed to Richardson Road in Newcastle - where the Park View student village halls (pictured) are located - early on Saturday morning

Paramedics rushed to Richardson Road in Newcastle - where the Park View student village halls (pictured) are located - early on Saturday morning 

Northumbria Police officers were called shortly after 6am this morning by the ambulance service.

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: 'We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our students and our welfare teams are offering support to those affected.

'This is not Covid-related and as this is an active police investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.'

Her death came just days after 800 students tested positive for coronavirus in Newcastle as the city was branded  England's new coronavirus hotspot.

Northumbria University - another of the city's universities - has been blamed for reopening the campus and causing the 'preventable' public health crisis.

All 770 students from the area are self-isolating for 14 days along with their flatmates and close contacts.  

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene and her death is not ' Covid-19 related', police have confirmed. Pictured: Police at the scene

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene and her death is not ' Covid-19 related', police have confirmed. Pictured: Police at the scene

All England's top ten coronavirus hotspots are in the North, revealing its North-South divide. Newcastle, which contains the Northumbria University outbreak, is one on the list

All England's top ten coronavirus hotspots are in the North, revealing its North-South divide. Newcastle, which contains the Northumbria University outbreak, is one on the list


Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham are all locked down, while Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will be locked down from Sunday. Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Darlington are open

Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and Durham are all locked down, while Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will be locked down from Sunday. Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Darlington are open 

The students have posted signs on their windows reading 'Covid +' and 'send beer' as they are provided with food, laundry, cleaning materials and welfare support by authorities and the city council. 

Those who miss out on face-to-face tuition during their quarantine will also receive additional academic support from the university.

A spokesman said the increase in cases comes in the week after students returned to the area and 'reflects the good access to and availability of testing as well as rigorous and robust reporting systems'. 

Nearly 800 students have tested positive for coronavirus in Newcastle as one of the UK's biggest university unions blamed Northumbria University for reopening the campus and causing the 'preventable' public health crisis (pictured, Northumbria University students posed for photos at windows in Shieldfield as they posted signs reading 'send beer')

Nearly 800 students have tested positive for coronavirus in Newcastle as one of the UK's biggest university unions blamed Northumbria University for reopening the campus and causing the 'preventable' public health crisis (pictured, Northumbria University students posed for photos at windows in Shieldfield as they posted signs reading 'send beer')

Northumbria University students posed for photos at windows in Shieldfield as they posted signs reading 'send beer' as one male student smiles at onlookers

Northumbria University students posed for photos at windows in Shieldfield as they posted signs reading 'send beer' as one male student smiles at onlookers

They refused to say if the outbreak has taken place in one hall of residence or multiple halls and private flats across Newcastle as infections in the city rose by 60 per cent to a rate of 250 cases per 100,000 this week.

But the University and College Union blamed the outbreak on the decision by university authorities to open up their campus to students, suggesting they are responsible for the 'preventable crisis'. 

General-Secretary Jo Grady said: 'We warned last month that, given the current restrictions in the region, the direction of the infection rate and the problems with test and trace, it was clearly far too soon for a mass return to campus.

'We told Northumbria University they had a civic duty to put the health of staff, students and the local community first and we take no pleasure in now seeing another preventable crisis play out. The university sector and the Government must address this public health crisis immediately.'

At least 50 universities across the UK are now dealing with confirmed Covid-19 outbreaks amid fears Britain's second wave is well underway, with 1,800 cases identified among students and staff. 

Glasgow University has seen 124 confirmed cases and there have been 221 recorded at Manchester University as thousands of lockdown-weary students flocked to campuses to start term on September 21.

Police cars spotted in Newcastle after a student is found dead
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