COVID-19

What we know at present

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

There is coronavirus information for health professionals on the NHS England website.

Stay at home if you or a member of your household, has coronavirus symptoms

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, dry, persistent cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
• do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

Self-Isolation

• if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.
• if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
• it is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
• for anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period.

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.

Read advice about staying at home.

Urgent advice: 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
• Use the 111 coronavirus service

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

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

• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean