Coronavirus: How to protect yourself and others

The latest information from the NHS can be found at: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk

If you need medical help, please use the 111 online coronavirus service.

The situation is rapidly developing, so please click here  for the Government's latest stay at home advice.

Get tested if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19

  • 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)

  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Get Tested 

If you are displaying any symptoms you and your household must self-isolate immediately and get a test. If you are tested positive, you and your household must self isolate.

Self-Isolation

As of Thursday 10th December the time people have to self-isolate for coronavirus will be reduced from 14 days to 10 in Wales.

The new self-isolation and quarantine advice will apply to:

  • people who have received a positive test result for COVID-19
  • people with symptoms of COVID-19 who are waiting for a test result, or who have not been tested and do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home for the appropriate self-isolation period
  • people living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19 or who has received a positive test result for COVID-19
  • close contacts of positive cases of COVID-19
  • travellers returning from non-exempt country

 

Find out more

 

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene

There are general principles you can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • washing your hands more often - with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who have symptoms
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home

wash your hands

Face Coverings 

For further details on face coverings in Wales, please visit: https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions

For details on face coverings in England, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home#face-coverings

Rules and Guidance on Meeting Up

*please note that local restrictions apply. Please visit my page on restrictions for information on the restrictions in place in your area.

NHS Covid-19 App

NHS CV19 App

To help keep yourself and others safe, download the NHS' Covid-19 App. The App will alert users if they have been close to someone who later tests positive for coronavirus, as well as providing risk alerts based on a user's postcode, allow users to scan QR codes to check in at venues on the app and allow people to book tests, if they have symptoms. Read More.

Download on the Apple App Store

Get it on Google Play

Shielding 

As of 22nd December, the Welsh Government have advised that those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, and had previously been 'shielding', should no longer attend work or school outside the home. This is particularly the case for those whose work requires them to be in regular or sustained contact with other people, or where individuals share a poorly ventilated workspace for long periods. For more information visit my page on shielding.

Looking after your mental wellbeing

Understandably, you may find that the current situation is having a negative impact on your mental health.

I have put together a Mental Health Guide to help 'Keep your mind in check' during these difficult times. 

 

Mental Health Guide

For more information on how to look after your mental wellbeing, visit mind.org.uk or phone 0300 123 3393

 

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