We will keep this page updated to provide the latest guidance and advice on COVID-19 as it becomes available so that you and your communities have all the information you need during this time.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
Health advice:
In most cases, COVID-19 is mild but everyone should remain vigilant and follow good hand washing and related personal hygiene measures, these include:
Staying at home for seven days if you have either have a high temperature or a new continuous cough. This will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious.
Not going to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
People will not be tested if they are self-isolating with mild symptoms.
More advice:
•Giving your hands a good wash with soap and water is the most effective action you can take (but hand gels can be a good substitute)
•Maintaining personal hygiene when coughing or sneezing is also important – use a tissue rather your hands and then throw it away. You could also sneeze or cough into your elbow area rather than your hands.
•It is good general practice to use cleaning wipes to give your keyboard, desk, phone etc. the once over on a regular basis.
If you have recently been to one of the affected areas and have symptoms including a cough, a high temperature or shortness of breath, do not go to your doctors or a hospital.
Visit the 111 website in the first instance if you’re able to, or ring 111, but please bear in mind that lines are expected to be busy.
In the community:
If you can, please help others in your community – check on any vulnerable family, friends and neighbours and to see if they need anything from the shops,a prescription collected or help with other small jobs. Sometimes just a small favour can make a big difference.
Finally, please be responsible with your comments and actions in your community and social media, so as not to cause undue concern or anxiety.
Education:
For education queries please phone the Department for Education on 0800 046 8687 or email them at [email protected] (opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday).
Unless directed to do so by Public Health England, no school should close in response to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.
Employers and business:
The Government has a dedicated page for employers and businesses in providing advice about COVID-19.
Useful links:
•Overview of COVID-19
•Stay at home advice
•NHS 111 – specific COVID-19 page
•Number of COVID-19 cases and risk in the UK
•COVID-19: track coronavirus cases(broken down into local authority areas)
•Common questions answered about COVID-19
•Travel advice
•Education queries – phone the Department for Education on 0800 046 8687 or email them at [email protected] (opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
Blogs
There is a blog about how contact tracing can be used to stop the spread of infection here.
There is a blog about self-isolation and why it is important here.
There is a blog about the top five things you can do to protect yourself and the community here.
Social media:
The following Twitter accounts will be regularly posting out the latest factual advice and information related to COVID-19:
•Public Health England (@PHE_UK)
•Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk)
•Enfield Council (@EnfieldCouncil)
•NHS London (@NHSEnglandLDN) or NHS England (@NHSEngland)– the NHS advises to only trust NHS organisations on Twitter that are ‘blue-tick verified’
•Metropolitan Police (@MetPoliceUK)
•London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire)
•Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group (@EnfieldCCG)
