THE University of Oxford has denied allegations of parties at colleges spreading Covid-19 – and pointed to its fall in cases.

It comes as young people in the city are being urged to get tested, with Oxford now deemed a hotspot for coronavirus.

Earlier this week, calls intensified for 18-29-year-olds to get tested with cases in Oxford the highest in the south east, and in the top 10 across the country.

Reports of outbreaks at university colleges due to ‘massive student parties’ have been denied by the university though.

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Data from the university’s testing service for the week June 28 to July 4 shows there was a total of 944 tests.

Of those, 332 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 35 per cent.

The university’s seven-day moving average decreased from July 1, with test results updated each Monday.

However, the figures include only those tests for which the university has received a result, and do not include positive test results received outside the university’s testing service.

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A spokesperson for the university said: “We have been monitoring closely the recent rise in cases, which reflects the pattern seen across the country, and responding accordingly.

“We have issued guidance to students, and those testing positive are told to immediately self-isolate in Oxford, receive appropriate welfare support from their university and colleges, and all their contacts are also tested.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and the local councils, following their advice, and supporting their drive to increase testing and vaccination across the city.”

Last weekend, more than 1,000 young people took part in PCR testing at temporary facilities.

This followed an urgent call by both Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council for young people to get tested after the number of daily cases rose to as high as those seen at the peak of the pandemic.

Additional PCR testing facilities were brought to Oxford, and those under 30 were asked to get tested regardless of whether they had symptoms or not.

Councils are still asking for people aged between 18 and 29 to visit walk-in testing units, which are open until 8pm on Sunday.

No appointment is needed at the testing sites, which can be located at:

• South Park (St Clement’s end)

• Blavatnik School of Government, Walton Street

• Manzil Way Gardens, Cowley Road.

Testing centres at Oxford Brookes University and Osney Lane are also open every day from 8am until 8pm, although an appointment is needed for those locations.

Appointments can be booked on gov.uk