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LATEST INFORMATION 

Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature

 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection, this is particularly the case for children.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, do not leave your home for 14 days from when your symptoms started this action will help protect others in your community while you are infectious.

You should plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home.

Ask your employer, friends and family to help you get the things you need to stay at home.

Stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home, if possible.

Sleep alone, if possible.

Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water.

Stay away from vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, as much as possible.

 

You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

 

Government response to COVID-19 (coronavirus)

The importance of hygiene

Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes.

How to wash your hands properly

Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water.

Watch this short NHS film for guidance:

·         https://youtu.be/bQCP7waTRWU

Teach young children how to wash their hands with the NHS handwashing song:

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg

Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.

Educational resources

The e-Bug project is led by Public Health England and has a dedicated webpage for learning resources on hand washing and respiratory hygiene.

Resources are currently available for KS1, KS2 and KS3 and can be used in various settings including schools:

·         https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools

Department for Education coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

If you work in a school, please have your unique reference number (URN or UKPRN) available when calling the helpline.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice

As of 10 March, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated advice about travel to Italy. The FCO is currently advising:

·         against all but essential travel to Italy

·         against all travel to Hubei Province, in China

·         against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China

·         against all travel to the cities of Daegu, Cheongdo and Gyeongsan in South Korea

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not currently advising against travel to any other country/territory as a result of COVID-19.

The latest travel advice can be found here:

·         https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Updated advice for travellers returning from Italy

On 10 March, Public Health England updated its travel advice for travellers returning from Italy. The advice can be found here:

·         https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Further information on what you should do if you are asked to self-isolate can be found here:

·         https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/20/what-is-self-isolation-and-why-is-it-important/

Where to find the latest information

Updates on COVID-19:

·         https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Guidance for educational settings:

·         https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:

·         https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Educational resources:

·         https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/101-coronavirus-/resources

·         https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools

Latest Department for Education information:

·         https://twitter.com/educationgovuk

·         https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk/