Coronavirus information
NHS Guidance for coronavirus
Stay at home if you have either:
- 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)
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.
How long to stay at home
- if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you’ll need to stay at home for 7 days
- 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.
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
Don’t
- 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
Who is at risk?
You may be at a particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with coronavirus if you:
- have had an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressant medicine
- are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
- have a severe chest condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
- have another serious health condition
Treatment for coronavirus
- There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
- Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
- Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
- You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.
For advice and links to useful resources for supporting good mental health at this time please click here
Specific COVID-19 Patient Advice
Advice for pregnant women:
Advice for patients with diabetes:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
Advice for patients with asthma and COPD
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus/people-living-with-lung-condition
Advice for patients with heart or circulatory disease
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health
Advice for patients with cancer
Advice for patients who don’t speak English
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Advice for patients with Addison’s diseases
https://www.addisonsdisease.org.uk/news/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
Advice for people with liver disease
Advice for patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-advice#child