Coronavirus Information & Advice

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• fever

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have been reported in children.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough or a high temperature.

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection.

The infection is mild for most people, including children. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease) may be at higher risk of more serious illness.

Most people get better with enough rest, and plenty to eat and drink.

The chance of being in contact with the virus is currently low in the UK.

You can only catch it if; you have been close to a person who has the virus (less than two metres for more than 15 minutes) or by touching a contaminated surface, then touching your mouth or eyes without washing your hands first.

• Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19: high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
• Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying travel times to avoid rush hour
• When possible, work from home
• Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
• Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet and social media
• Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Public Health England recommends using good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Coughing and sneezing should be into tissues that are promptly disposed of in bins. Hands should be washed frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, even if hands are visibly clean.

The NHS has guidance on the best way to wash your hands

Please use the NHS 111 website initially for guidance, or if you have no internet access then contact the free NHS 111 telephone helpline, if you think you’ve been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus.

If you think you may have the virus, you should:

• if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. (After 7 days, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to your normal routine. A Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean you must continue to self-isolate for more than 7 days.)
• this action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.
• plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home.
• ask friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home.
• stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible.
• sleep alone, if that is 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 use the NHS 111 website. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

The NHS has comprehensive advice on their website about what to do if you think you may have the virus, precautionary measures, and self-isolation procedures.

If you are a student, please also notify the college by contacting your Learning Coach as you would do with any absence.

Self-isolation means staying at home for at least 7 days and not going to classes or work, not using public transport such as buses or trains, and not visiting public areas such as libraries, pubs or shops. Please ask friends or family to help with shopping or other essential supplies you may need.

Please do not be worried about being absent from your studies for this short period, but please do continue with your studies. Your support will be provided through Canvas via on-line learning.

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: [email protected]
• Opening Hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

You should also refer to the following sites for the latest official information and guidance:

• NHS: Coronavirus information
• Public Health England: Coronavirus Q&A
• Public Health England: Self-isolation information
• Public Health England: Stay at home guidance
• UK Government: Guidance for educational settings
• UK Government: Find out the steps the UK government is taking
• World Health Organization: Find out more about Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

If you have any concerns about your health you should use the NHS 111 website initially, or if you have no internet access then contact the free NHS 111 telephone helpline. Check the NHS website for the latest official advice.