Corona Virus - Updated
As I am sure you all aware by now there is a virus that is spreading around called the Corona Virus (COVID-19). This virus originates from China and has spread globally in recent weeks from people travelling to and from the area. There are now numerous cases in the UK and because of this, we thought it important to provide you with advice on how to keep yourself as safe as possible whilst the outbreak is still at its worst. If you would like to find out any further information regarding COVID-19 then you can check the government website daily. The Department of health will be updating the information on that page every day at 2PM and the information will be accurate as of 9AM that day.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#number-of-cases
The current risk level for people catching the Coronavirus in the UK is moderate and health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have the coronavirus. UK hospitals are now on Level 4 for alert. This means that all hospitals in England have been told to “assume that they will need to look after COVID-19 cases in due course”. A level 4 alert, which is the highest emergency level, is defined as when "pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care”.
On the 3rd March 2020 the Government released a document called Coronavirus: Action Plan. Within this document it states what the government has done so far in relation to COVID-19 and what they plan to do in the upcoming weeks and months. Please see the link below if you would like to read further into this:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil e/869827/Coronavirus_action_plan_-_a_guide_to_what_you_can_expect_across_the_UK.pdf
Signs that you may have contracted COVID-19 are as follows, however if you do have these symptoms it does not mean that you have COVID-19 as these symptoms are similar to other illnesses such as colds and flu.
A cough
High Temperature
Shortness of Breath
There are a number of things that you can do to stop the catching and spreading of the virus. Do:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze
Put used tissues in the bin immediately
Wash your hands with soap and water often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser gel
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t:
Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are unclean
Advice for returning travellers:
If you have recently returned from one of the following locations, then you must stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have any symptoms
Iran, lockdown areas in Northern Italy or special care zones in South Korea since 19th February, even if you do not have symptoms
Other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)
Other parts of Northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)