Coronavirus information and advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

(Update 19th May 2020)

Coronavirus is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

What you need to do:

Following the latest Government advise, unless you are shielding you can now:

Go out to work, but only if you can not work from home
Go to shops that are permitted to be open - for things like food and medicine
Spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing
Meet one other person from a different household outdoors - following social distancing guidelines
Exercise outdoors as often as you wish - following social distancing guidelines
Use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart
Go to a garden centre

At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are 2 metres away from anyone outside your household.

What to do if you think you have coronavirus symptoms:

Stay at home if you have:

A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
Anosmia (loss or change in your normal sense of smell)

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

People who are self-isolating with mild symptoms are not currently being tested.

How long to stay at home if you have symptoms of coronavirus

You'll need to stay at home for 7 days, or longer if you still have a temperature
If you live with someone who has symptoms you'll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms

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.

Guidance for stay at home self isolation

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, do not leave your home for 7 days from when your symptoms started
This action will help protect others in your community while you are infectious
Plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure you can successfully stay at home
Ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home
Stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible
Sleep alone, if possible
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water
Stay away from vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, as much as possible
You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999

How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)

Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.

It is particularly important for people who:

Are 70 or over
Have a long-term condition
Are pregnant
Have a weakened immune system

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
use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

Dont:

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family

If you're at high risk

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.

Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.

Information about the virus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Further information

For the latest information and advice, please visit visit the Government website for Department of Health's advice.