UNIVERSITIES face a “significant risk” of becoming the new breeding grounds for the coronavirus when they reopen this month, according to a new scientific report.

Infected students could further spread the virus to families and communities when they return home for the Christmas and new year break, the report from the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) said on Friday.

Higher education “collectively creates a large number of connections within universities and communities across the UK, with considerable international links,” it added.