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More than 400 students have tested positive for coronavirus at the University of Sheffield.

A total of 474 students, as well as five members of staff, have contracted the infection.

The huge surge comes only days after more than 100 Sheffield students were diagnosed with the disease in the space of three days.

Figures released last week showed that 116 students and two staff members had tested positive.

But data released today, revealed cases had started spiralling, with 474 students and five members of staff testing positive.

A university spokesman said: "We recognise how difficult it is for students who are new to Sheffield and need to self-isolate because of Covid-19 cases.

"To make sure we are supporting students in the best way possible, we will contact all students who are self-isolating to check on their welfare and offer practical and emotional support."

Universities across the UK are fighting to keep coronavirus cases under control as furious students demand partial refunds.

In-person teaching has been scrapped in a desperate bid to halt the diseases spread.

Some students have been placed into lockdown as authorities try to stem the spread of the contagious infection among university halls.

In Glasgow, a group of fuming pupils have started campaigning for a 15% refund from universities that have changed their teaching systems.

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Refund Us Now said: “Refund Us Now is a campaign founded in response to the abysmal treatment of those studying in the UK today. Grassroots. Student-led.

“Our aim is to secure 15 percent cash refunds for every single student who has been lied to, manipulated and now subjected to overly reactive and draconian measures at the hands of their universities and governments.”

It comes after red-faced Public Health England bosses admitted that they had failed to count thousands of positive tests.

The problem led to a delay of nearly a week in contacting potentially-infected Brits by NHS Test and Trace – putting thousands at risk.

The analysis, based on Public Health England (PHE) data published on Sunday night, shows sharp rises in Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham and Leeds.

It follows reports that hundreds of students tested positive at Northumbria University only days after youngsters were snapped flouting the rule of six.

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