London, Sept. 26 -- Some 1,700 students at Manchester Metropolitan University have been told to stay in their rooms for 14 days after 127 tested positive for coronavirus, local media reported Saturday.

The incident was "the latest catastrophe in a week where wholly predictable -- and predicted -- COVID-19 outbreaks have caused havoc on campuses across the UK", said the University and College Union.

General secretary Jo Grady urged actions from the government and universities to protect staff and students.

"We warned last month of the problems with moving thousands of students across the country and the time has come for urgent action from ministers and universities to protect staff and students," said Grady.

A university spokesman sai...