General Information about COVID-19

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COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the new coronavirus rather than the actual virus itself – the virus has been named SARs-CoV-2.

First point of reference is the online Coronavirus service: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/

Self-Isolating

Please look on this weblink for guidance: www.nhs.uk/symptoms-and-what-to-do

As a reminder, the symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • 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)

If you have ANY of the above symptoms, stay at home (i.e. Self-isolate) for 10 days
Any other household members need to stay at home for 14 days

After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.

But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 10 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they’re at home for longer than 14 days.

There is more information here: www.gov.uk/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Call 111 if you can’t get help with the online service OR if you feel you can’t cope at home with the symptoms OR your symptoms persist beyond 7 days OR your condition gets worse.

If you need an isolation note for your employer, you don’t need to ring the surgery. You can get this from: https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/

What does ‘stay at home’ mean?
Not leaving the house and, if living with others, minimising sharing space with others.

In an ideal world, this means:

  • Sleeping alone.
  • Not sharing a bed, toothbrush, crockery, towels or food.
  • Staying in one room, into which others do not go, as much as possible. If rooms do need to be shared, using them when others are not present.
  • If possible, using a separate bathroom; if this is not possible, you should clean the bathroom after each use.
  • If possible, having meals brought to the room rather than preparing them in a shared space.
  • Regular handwashing by all in the household, with you having a separate towel from the rest of the household.
  • Wash your clothes and bed sheets frequently at 60 degrees.
  • Keep well hydrated and take paracetamol up to 4 times a day.
  • Identify those who can help provide supplies e.g. by dropping shopping and medication on the doorstep, and not stopping to chat.