200 students get Covid in outbreak at Australian National University

A major university has been rocked by a Covid-19 outbreak, with hundreds of cases recorded just as the academic years gets into swing.

More than 200 Australian National University students have tested positive to Covid following orientation week.

The confirmed cases were detected across 12 ANU student residences as of Sunday evening, the Canberra-based university said.

The Covid-positive residents are being moved to a dedicated self-isolation facility on campus.

Residents who are self-isolating are being given wellbeing, medical and academic support as well as meals while they are in quarantine, a spokesman said.

The university said the outbreak of Covid cases in the student residences was “unsurprising” given the lifting of restrictions in the ACT and a full calendar of campus and social activities for orientation week.

There’s been more than 200 Covid cases at ANU student residences. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Over the last two weeks we’ve also seen many residents arrive on the campus from other states as well as overseas,” the spokesman said.

The university said it has been prepared for the cases with “processes and protocols in place” to support any Covid-positive residents.

“We are also well placed and prepared to help prevent potential further transmission in our residences as well as the wider community,” the spokesman said.

The facilities being used for self-isolation have been deemed appropriate after consultation with ACT Health.

The Covid-positive ANU students have been moved to a dedicated self-isolation facility on campus.

The ACT recorded 583 new cases on Tuesday, up from the 458 cases announced on Monday.

Forty-one people are in hospital, with one person in ICU. None require ventilation.

There are now 2786 active Covid cases in the territory.

More than 98 per cent of ACT residents aged 12 onwards have received two vaccine doses.

The ANU said students living at the uni’s residential accommodation would be regularly tested to prevent the spread of the virus and keep them and the broader campus community safe.

“The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is always our highest priority,” the spokesman said.