Coronavirus NHS

The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The Chief Medical Officer announced that the country moved into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus on 11 March 2020.

The latest advice, announced by the government as of Tuesday 16th March is as follows:

Stay at home if you have either:

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new continuous cough – this means you have started coughing repeatedly

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

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

How long to stay at home

• if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
• if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the first day the first person got 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.

Stay At Home advice can be found here

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• 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

More information can be found on the NHS website here.