Help prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.

What’s the risk of catching coronavirus in the UK?

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. But the risk to individuals remains low.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

How coronavirus is spread

Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses spread in cough droplets.

It’s highly unlikely coronavirus can be spread through packages from affected countries or through food.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There’s currently no vaccine for coronavirus.

But there are things you can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading.

Do

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

wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don’t

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Information:

If you’ve been to China or other specified areas in the last 14 days, follow the advice on this page for returning travellers.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

a cough

a high temperature

shortness of breath

Urgent advice:Call 111 now if you’ve been:

to Wuhan or Hubei Province in China in the last 14 days (even if you do not have symptoms)

to other parts of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it’s mild)

to Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Republic of Korea or Malaysia in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it’s mild)

in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

Tell 111 about any recent travel and any symptoms you have.

Information:

If you’re in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.

How to isolate yourself if you could have coronavirus

If there’s a chance you could have coronavirus, you may be asked to isolate yourself.

This means that for up to 14 days, you should:

stay at home

not go to work, school or public areas

not use public transport or taxis

ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you

try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food

While the risk to people in the UK is low, these steps can help reduce the possible spread of infection.

Treatment for coronavirus

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus.

Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the infection.