Manchester’s two main universities have confirmed that all in-person teaching will now move online as coronavirus (COVID-19) cases soar at the institutions.
It’s believed that the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University are set to inform staff and students of the move this afternoon after a decision by the city’s public health department, alongside Public Health England.
The institutions are to move teaching entirely online from tomorrow (Wednesday) until at least 30th October.
The council has said that courses at the two universities will be taught virtually, with the exception of “accredited and professional programmes, for on-campus laboratory, clinical and practice-based teaching”.
The move represents an escalation in the approach to rising coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on campus and among students.
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It comes as public health officials look to contain a host of outbreaks.
Manchester Metropolitan University
It is understood that the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the universities is still overwhelmingly related to accommodation facilities and not campus, but the move is being taken in an effort to limit those who may have the virus from travelling around and spreading it further.
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It comes after Manchester Metropolitan University had been the first of the two institutions to see high profile outbreaks a couple of weeks ago, which lead to students in the Birley and Cambridge halls of residence being told to self-isolate.
Hundreds more staff and student cases have been confirmed since then.
In a footprint used as part of the government’s community-level mapping of the virus, Fallowfield Central – a popular area of student residence – was showing the highest case numbers of any neighbourhood in the country yesterday.
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It racked up 558 new cases in the week up to 1st October.
David Regan – Director of Public Health at Manchester City Council – said: “This is the right thing to do and supports our approach using data and a local approach to contain outbreaks so that we reduce the possibility of further infection.
“More online teaching will protect staff, students and the wider community, which is what we want and need.
“As people will no doubt know from the news our current Covid figures are high – and in particular the rate of infection in the last seven days for our 17-21 year-old category is almost six times higher than in the rest of the community.
“Today’s announcement, plus following all our local restrictions means that we have a consistent approach.”
In response to an increase in the COVID-19 infection rate in Manchester and in line with our commitment to protect the health and well-being of our students, staff and the wider community, we be will increasing the level of online learning, from tomorrow. https://t.co/Y15nhVkiMh
— The University of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) October 6, 2020
The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider communities remains our top priority.
We've taken this decision after meetings with reps from the local public health authorities and @ManCityCouncil to help minimise the risk of the spread of the virus in the city.
Tribute paid to man ‘loved by so many’ stabbed to death in Levenshulme
Daisy Jackson
The brother of a man stabbed to death in Levenshulme has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Zherko Rasul Osman was just 24 years old when he was fatally wounded in an incident on Chapel Street on Saturday evening.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel, Zherko sadly died at the scene.
Now, his brother has paid tribute to him, saying he was ‘someone who was loved by so many’.
The touching tribute reads: “My brother was a kind, friendly and loving person who never looked for trouble or wanted to harm anyone.
“He was loved and respected by his friends, his mates and the neighbours in the community where he lived. He had a good heart and would always be remembered for the warmth and happiness he brought to those around him.
“His life was taken so suddenly and for no reason, leaving a pain and emptiness that words cannot describe. We are heartbroken that someone who was loved by so many is no longer here. He deserved to live his life and make memories with the people he loved.
“He will never be forgotten. His smile, his kindness and the memories we shared with him will stay in our hearts forever. We love you, and we will miss you every single day.”
Zherko Rasul Osman suffered serious stab wounds on Chapel Street in Levenshulme at around 7.06pm on Saturday 15 August.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning. A 27-year-old man who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder remains on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers continue to make progress as the investigation continues. It is believed this was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are urging anyone who may have information to please report it through the dedicated online portal HERE.
Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect the Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
The Manc -
6th October 2020 
