Update on Cases
Updated: 21 June 2022
Throughout the pandemic, we have been working closely with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) (formerly Public Health England), NHS Test and Trace and local health protection teams and with their input, our Case Management Team respond to suspected and positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) among our students and staff.
We continue to implement a range of measures designed to reduce the risk of COVID infection to support our students and staff to protect themselves, those close to them and others in our wider community.
On campus, we have carried out risk assessments on buildings and spaces and are recommending wearing of face coverings unless exempt, one way systems with marked entrances and exits, hand sanitisers throughout our buildings and disinfectant wipes provided to clean desks and shared equipment before and after use.
We have a student body of around 30,000 students and 9,000 staff members. The health, mental health and wellbeing of our community is our priority and we are supporting those within our community who are unwell. We are offering practical and wellbeing support, including how to access our mental health and wellbeing services.
Reporting a case
Reporting a case to the university is an important part of our measures and we ask staff and students to play their part by getting tested if they have symptoms and keeping us informed via our self-reporting process. When we receive notification of a suspected or confirmed case, we follow detailed processes and procedures, including identifying close and proximity contacts, communications to relevant staff and students, and cleaning of affected areas where appropriate.
Numbers of positive cases reported to us
To ensure we are being as transparent as possible about the transmission of the virus in our community, we are publishing new known positive cases of COVID-19 reported to us via our self-reporting process. We update and publish figures on a weekly basis.
We have been monitoring the situation with the new COVID variant, Omicron, very closely applying our robust case management and testing approach as part of our safety plan.
Latest update (21 June 2022)
| Academic Year 2021/22 |
Staff/PGR
|
Students
|
|
Total new cases in last counted 7 day period*
|
39 (-4)
|
11 (-1)
|
|
Total new cases in last counted 7 day period* with on-campus/placement activity 48 hours prior to symptoms/positive test
|
4
|
2 on campus
0 on placement
|
|
Total cases from 13 September 2021 (Term 1 start)
|
2035
|
2968
|
*New cases reported to King’s Personal Health Team.
|
Academic Year 2020/21
|
Staff/PGR
|
Students
|
|
Total cases from 28 September 2020 (Term 1 start) to 12 September 2021
|
431
|
851
|
All those who have received a positive test result are advised to stay at home and not come to campus, and their close contacts informed.
Students are being supported by the residences and welfare team with food and grocery deliveries, regular check-ins and access to mental health and wellbeing support.
Testing
Students and staff who do not have COVID symptoms (asymptomatic) can still use KCL TEST to take COVID tests if they are coming to campus. Visit our testing webpages for more information.
For those experiencing coronavirus symptoms, follow the NHS advice and please fill out the King’s Self-reporting form so we can support you.
COVID Vaccination
King’s encourages all students and staff to get fully vaccinated and have the booster vaccination as soon as they can. Information on where to get the COVID vaccination is available on our webpages.
COVID booster vaccination
King’s is taking the position that for the majority of those who have been fully vaccinated university-wide and local measures identified through the risk assessment process should be adequate for all but the most vulnerable of our staff and students. For the purposes of health protection our risk assessment guidance states that fully vaccinated means that individuals have received COVID booster vaccination(s).
Advice for all students and staff
Please continue to be vigilant on COVID-19 symptoms and to follow government advice and university guidance on health and safety measures.
Please book a COVID-19 test immediately on the onset of symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough and/or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste) and stay at home.
See also: Coronavirus Contact Tracing Privacy Notice
How our academics are supporting the response to coronavirus
Our scientists, academics and researchers continue to be at the forefront of the global response to the virus. This includes ground-breaking research to identify new symptoms using data from the COVID Symptom Study app, uncovering the antibody response to the virus, and providing invaluable social insights by analysing public perceptions of the pandemic.