TEACHING will be halted at Oxford Brookes University from tomorrow after a second student contracted coronavirus.

The Oxford Mail has seen an email sent to students this afternoon announcing that there will be no face-to-face lectures until further notice, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

A statement on the university's website this afternoon confirms a second case of the virus.

It continues: "We have recently been informed by Public Health England (PHE) that a second Oxford Brookes student has tested positive for coronavirus. The student is taught at one of our Oxford campuses.

"We are taking this latest development very seriously and understand that it will cause concern among our students, staff, and the wider community. The immediate focus for the University is on supporting the affected student."

The next three weeks, until the Easter break, have been allocated as reading weeks - when students have no lectures or seminars but are encouraged to do their own independent study.

After Easter, teaching will be carried out on an online-only basis. 

Meanwhile at Oxford University, where seven Covid-19 cases have been confirmed so far, guidance has been updated to state: "We anticipate that most or all teaching and assessment next term will take place remotely."

A statement previously published on Oxford's website said: "The university intends to remain open until instructed to do otherwise."

Undergraduate students from the UK have been advised to return home over the Easter break 'unless they have a compelling reason to stay', while all exams scheduled between March 16 and April 2 have been cancelled or rearranged.

Oxford University's statement added that it is 'encouraging the use of technology for meetings, teaching and assessment where possible'.

More than 2,400 people had signed a petition in the past few days urging Brookes University to shut down, after one case of the flu-like virus was confirmed among the student population last week.

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In an update on the change.org page this afternoon, the student who had anonymously began the petition wrote: "Very pleased to announce the university has changed its course of action after a second student was diagnosed with Covid-19."

The email circulated by the university to students said: "The university and its halls of residence continue to operate as normal.

"Due to the continued spread of coronavirus, the university is declaring a number of reading weeks from 8am Tuesday 17 March to Friday 3rd April.

"There will be no delivery of teaching during these weeks. Delivery will recommence after Easter and will be online only - there will be no face to face teaching.

"Weeks 11 and 12 will be compressed into a period after Easter."

A student, tweeting shortly before 1pm, appeared to criticise the decision not to shut down the campus. 

Another Brookes student, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Oxford Mail: "My view is that it has taken far too long to reach this decision.

"Other universities in the country don’t even have a single case but had already announced a change to online teaching last week."

Oxford Mail:

On Saturday, Brookes published a statement asserting that 'we plan to remain open and teaching remains unaffected'.

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Brookes Students' Union Council sent a letter to the university's vice-chancellor Alistair Fitt this morning, questioning why the campuses were staying open and calling for measures including increased cleaning of communal spaces.

Sean Keeley, chairman of the council, wrote in the letter: "Students are right to be concerned and have a right to know about any decisions that affect their wellbeing and health.

"It is very clear that a significant number of students are fearful of entering the campus citing fears of endangering their health and safety and that of those around them."