The University’s asymptomatic testing programme identified a spike in Covid-19 cases last week (21/06-27/06).

109 students tested positive for Coronavirus, compared to 17 the week before (14/06-20/06).

6,099 students were screened in this period, up from 5,190 in the previous week.

Figures show that Covid cases in Central and West Cambridge have increased by almost 1,000 per cent in recent weeks.

In the seven days leading up to 22nd June, Covid cases in the area grew from 7 to 72, a 928.6 per cent increase. This led the infection rate to increase to 475.6 cases per 100,000 people.

With 139 new cases recorded, Cambridge’s infection rate increased by 272.5 per cent overall in this period.

A Cambridge University spokesperson said: “We have recently seen increases in the number of students testing positive for Covid-19 through the University of Cambridge’s Asymptomatic Covid-19 Screening Programme and our symptomatic testing programme. This is consistent with national trends and driven by increased transmissibility of the ‘Delta’ variant of the virus.

“It is very encouraging that we are continuing to pick up a high proportion of cases by asymptomatic screening. Finding cases early – before the development of symptoms – means that we can prevent new outbreaks, and minimise disruption to end-of-term events.

“We are working closely with colleagues across the collegiate university and with public health officials at Public Health England and Cambridge City Council to manage and trace the source of any outbreaks and ensure that we are able to keep the University and the wider Cambridge community safe.”