I think I have coronavirus

The latest advice for COVID-19 / Coronavirus was issued on Monday 16 March by the Public Health Agency.   If you have either:

• a high temperature (fever) – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back or a thermometer reads 37.8 degrees C or higher
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve recently started coughing repeatedly

Stay at home for 7 days.  After seven days you can return to normal activities as long as you do not have a high temperature (fever);

After 7 days:

• if you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to stay at home
• if you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal
• You do not need to stay at home if you just have a cough after 7 days. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms. This is because it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

• If more than 1 person at home has symptoms, stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person started having symptoms.
• If you get symptoms, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms start, even if it means you’re at home for longer than 14 days.
• If you do not get symptoms, you can stop staying at home after 14 days.

You may find this graphic helpful in explaining isolation for family members.

Travel and contact history are no longer part of the case definition and people are advised not to go to their GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You can ring NHS 111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP.

Calling your GP is only necessary if you have:

• An existing health condition
• problems with your immune system
• very serious symptoms

More information and guidance about staying at home has been made available.

If it is a medical emergency and you need to call an ambulance, dial 999 and inform the operator of your symptoms.

20th March 2020