Email to all students in Talybont residences regarding Mobile Testing Unit

Dear Student,

On Friday I shared with you a message sent to students living in Talybont South, making sure you were all aware of the increased measures we were taking with Public Health Wales to keep us all as safe as possible.

Over the weekend, it was agreed that from today we would also offer any student living in the rest of Talybont with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) a test. The message informing students in Talybont of this development is below for your awareness. Any student that receives a positive test will be required to self-isolate, and you can see how they will be supported here. 

This remains part of the pre-emptive approach I wrote to you about at the end of last week. Events continue to move quickly, and I will of course continue to communicate regularly, and transparently, with you all.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Student Connect:
studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 (0)29 2251 8888.
 

Best wishes,

Claire Morgan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students

Copy of the letter being sent to students affected in Talybont

Dear Resident

I wrote to all students by email on Friday to let them know about coronavirus (COVID-19) testing being undertaken in Talybont South.  In conjunction with Public Health Wales (PHW) it has now been agreed to operate further testing across all Talybont Halls of Residence.

We are therefore writing to advise that a Mobile Testing Unit, run by NHS Wales, will operate at Talybont from 09:00 to 17:00 starting on Monday morning.

Testing for those with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Any student living in a Hall of Residence on Talybont with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) should book themselves in for a test immediately. Appointments will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis.

If you have already been tested by the team of community nurses on site at Talybont South this weekend, or have received an email to say you will be tested today, you do not need to go for a second test.

The NHS Wales walk-in Mobile Testing Unit will be based in the sports outdoor changing facilities adjacent to the sports hall and outdoor pitches at Talybont North. This is the first Testing Unit in the UK to be agreed solely for use by students. It is part of a series of precautionary and preventative measures to better identify and help stop the spread of the virus and keep you safe. As per previous government guidance, please do not travel home, and risk further spreading the virus to your family or carers.

It is incredibly important that you support this work and cooperate fully. The University has every confidence that you recognise how important this is for your wellbeing and to the community you’re living in, and that you will work with us and our NHS partners.

If you test positive you will be contacted by the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace, Protect service. A contact tracer will only ever call you from +44 (0)29 2196 1133. They will ask you about your health, who you have been in contact with recently and where you have been. It is important that you answer honestly and provide as much information as you can. This information will only be used for NHS contact tracing purposes.

A contact tracer will never ask you to make any sort of payment, dial a premium rate number, provide your bank account details, give passwords or PINs, or download any software.

Screening service for those without symptoms

In addition, the University’s own screening service for those of you without symptoms will open on Tuesday. More details will follow on how this screening service will operate on Talybont.

Self- isolation

Please read the information about the support we offer to those in self-isolation including a new free laundry service for those in University Residences.

In addition, all students self-isolating in University Residences will receive £20 to spend with our student marketplace, so that you can obtain fresh food and other essentials. We will share details on this shortly and update the self-isolation information our intranet pages as soon as possible.

There is also an important reminder of the need to keep your information up to date in SIMS. This will ensure you can continue to access your learning.

We urge you to continue to follow the latest Welsh Government guidance and download the NHS COVID-19 app which allows you check your symptoms, check-in to venues, and manage your self-isolation period. On a related note, if you haven’t already – please do register with a local GP.

Further information is also available on our student intranet and website. If you have any questions or concerns then please contact Student Connect: studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk or +44 (0)29 2251 8888.

Finally, thank you for your co-operation on this, whilst we work with our NHS partners on the health and safety of the student community.

Yours sincerely,

Claire Morgan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students