Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Friday 6 November 2020
Infection prevention control guidelines to remain in place
The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
While COVID restrictions have been ended in many settings in England, everyone accessing or visiting our healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.
Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors. This guidance applies across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.
Read the infection prevention control guidance in full at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste, you are advised to stay at home for 10 days and get a test!
Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 10 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 10 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 10 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 10 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/
For the latest COVID-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
How to stop infection spreading
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 catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines.
This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- 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.
- Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.
- Make space - Stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions and avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
- 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.
Resources in different languages, easy read and BSL
- Covid-19 information leaflet in different languages
- Covid-19 Easy Read Leaflet
- Covid-19 Guidance in BSL
- COVID-19 guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable in different languages and easy read.
- COVID-19 guidance for households with possible Coronavirus infection in different languages and easy read.
- COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people in different languages and Easy Read versions.
- Solent advice on supporting people with a learning disability around COVID
- British Asian Covid-19 Video (English
- BBC Asian Network Covid-19 videos in:
- Southampton City Council COVID-19 translated videos: