Matt Woolford, 25, was in his first year at Oxford Brookes University in October 2019 when he tested positive for meningococcal-meningitis and septicaemia.

It was confirmed yesterday (Thursday, May 14) that three meningococcal (meningitis) cases have been discovered in young people in Reading this week.

Mr Woolford, who is from Reading, described the recent outbreak as “more tragic and frankly unnecessary news” as he believes there is enough understanding and preventative measures already in place.

However, he advices pupils to “not worry”.

He added: “There could be heightened anxiety, but I can’t imagine the risk is any higher, in the same way the risk is no higher me driving my car on a day there was an accident earlier nearby.”

Henley College. (Image: Google Maps)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said one of the three, who was studying at Oxfordshire’s Henley College, has since died.

The two other pupils, who attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre in Reading, are being treated, according to the UKHSA.

People who have been in close contact are being offered precautionary antibiotics and information on the symptoms.

Symptoms of meningitis (stock photo). (Image: PA)

He said students should stay vigilant of themselves and their friends and to contact the NHS on 111 or online if t worried about symptoms, including vomiting, a headache or confusion.

He said: “Being sick out of the blue is rarely normal without explanation like food poisoning, at least for me.

“111 exists to be called to triage you. What’s the harm in calling or going online to see what the advice says.

“Even if one person finds out they’re more ill than they thought, it’s worth it.”

He welcomed Reading University’s announcement to contact its students but added students should be proactively made more aware of the demographic risk.

READ MORE: One dead after UK infection outbreak: All we know so far

He said: “Meningitis is a lot more prevalent amongst students and deserves more awareness than I think it has.

“I think universities are beginning to do more because of the continued frequency of these events, but I don’t think enough is being done.”

“Most information campaigns feel as though they are reactive to events like this, not proactive in preventing them”, he added.

He advises students to get vaccinated or check with their GP that there are two doses on record.

UKHSA said the risk to the wider public “remains low” and added that one of the cases has been confirmed as Meningitis B, while test results for the other cases have not yet come through.

Oxford Stand up to Racism Group will march in London in commemoration of Nakba Day, and against the far-right group.

The Nakba march, which is Arabic for “catastrophe,” refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948 around the founding of Israel.

A spokesperson for Oxford Stand up To Racism said: “Oxford Stand Up To Racism will be joining the anti-fascist bloc on the Nakba commemoration march on Saturday.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire student dies amid Reading meningitis outbreak

“We are marching in opposition to Tommy Robinson’s fascist rally and to defend the right to protest.

“It is a scandal that a fascist has been given permission to hold a mass rally in central London, while the Nakba Day march has been marginalised.

“Robinson’s aim is to platform far-right and fascist speakers to peddle racist lies about Muslims, migrants and refugees to stoke racist division and to build a racist street army.

“We remember the horror that fascism brought in the 1930’s and we say ‘never again’.”

Also known as the ‘memory of the catastrophe’ the day is in remembrance of the Palestinians who were forced from their homes during the establishment of The State of Israel in 1948.

Oxford city centre march (Image: Ed Nix)

The protest, on Saturday, has been organised by the Palestine Coalition and Stand Up To Racism, and is scheduled to start at noon.

It will go from Exhibition Road to Waterloo Place via Brompton Road, Hyde Park Corner, and Piccadilly.

The march coincides with a Tommy Robinson-backed ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest, which the Prime Minister said is “designed to confront and intimidate this diversity and this diverse country”.

The group is also planning a protest against Oxford Union’s decision to invite far-right activist Tommy Robinson to ‘debate’ on whether the West is right to be suspicious of Islam.

A spokesperson for the group said: “By inviting Robinson the Oxford Union is helping to boost and legitimise Robinson’s racism and fascism.

“This invitation can only give confidence to his supporters to be more active here.

“At a time of rising racist attacks and increased far right and fascist activity in the UK this invitation is dangerous, and negligent of the safety and peace of Oxford’s diverse community.”

Ahead of the protests the government has blocked 11 foreign “far-right agitators” from entering the UK for a Tommy Robinson-led demonstration, including Polish MEP Dominik Tarczynski and anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez.

A massive operation is being planned by the Met as the two protests take place and the FA Cup final take place.

Thousands of officers will take to the streets and armoured vehicles will be deployed along with police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters as the Met aims to avoid clashes.

Live facial recognition will also be used for the first time at a protest.

Harwood, from County Durham, appeared on the Channel 4 show alongside his wife Anne for five series (series 15 to 19) between 2020 and 2022.

The pair featured on the hit Channel 4 series alongside other couples, including Giles and Mary, Dave and Shirley, Stephen and Daniel, and Marcus and Mica.

Top 10 best British TV series

Mr Harwood was a postmaster for 30 years, as well as a local councillor, before retiring in 2013.

He and Anne were married for 55 years.

Gogglebox pays tribute to former star following death

In a statement, production company Studio Lambert said: “He will be dearly missed by his wife Anne, sons Simon and Ross, daughter-in-law Elle, grandchildren Freya and Tristram, and all who knew him.”

Recommended reading:

Series 27 of Gogglebox continues at 9pm on Channel 4 (and Channel4.com) on Friday (May 15) night.

A tribute to Mr Harwood will be shown at the end of the episode.

Do you remember Ken and Anne Harwood from Gogglebox? Let us know on the comments below.