LECTURERS should be allowed to work remotely, said the University and College Union (UCU) as the number of people affected by a meningitis outbreak in Kent rose to 27 today.

It wrote to its members at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) to tell them it will back every member who wants to work remotely as meningitis cases continue to rise. Whereas the University of Kent has tried to minimise on-campus working, CCCU has refused to do so. 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said today that more people would get vaccine protection against the meningitis B strain affecting those who fell ill after visiting Club Chemistry in Canterbury.

The UK Health Security Agency said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 12 are under investigation. Two students have died in the outbreak.

Currently, nine of the 15 confirmed cases are known to be caused by menB.