Coronavirus Update 17-03-2020

The NHS advice for dealing with the coronavirus outbreak has been updated.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

• A new continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

• A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

If you have either of these symptoms and live on your own, you must stay at home and avoid all but essential contact with others – known as self-isolation – for 7 days.

However, if you live with other people, you should all should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms.

Do NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, you should telephone the NHS advice line on 111 or log on to 111.nhs.uk.

For a medical emergency, you should still dial 999.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if your symptoms are not severe.

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

There are several measures you can take to help protect yourself and others from infection.

DO:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

• always wash your hands when you get home or into work

• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

• avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus

• only travel on public transport if you need to

• work from home, if you can

• avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas

• avoid events with large groups of people

Do NOT:

• touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

• have visitors to your home, including friends and family

The NHS will contact you from Monday 23 March 2020 if you are at particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with coronavirus. You’ll be given specific advice about what to do.

We will continue to share the latest information with you as we receive it.