Coronavirus – Important Notice For All Patients

Coronavirus Symptoms

• 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)
• Loss of/change in smell or taste

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Use the 111 coronavirus service  to find out what to do.

Testing For Coronavirus

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can get a free test to check if they have the virus. Some people without symptoms can have the test too. For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/.

There is another test (antibody test) that checks if you’ve already had the virus. This test is not widely available yet. You can find out about antibody testing at www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-antibody-tests.

What To Do If You Need Medical Help For Another Reason

If you need medical help not related to coronavirus, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

• For health information and advice, use the NHS website or check your GP surgery website.
• For urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. Only call 111 if you’re unable to get help online.
• For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance.

Read more advice about getting medical help at home at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/getting-medical-help-at-home/.

Other Things You Can Do To Stop The Infection Spreading

Do:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds.
• 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.
• Stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people, if you need to go outside.

Don’t:

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

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.

The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time. Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.