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Coronavirus Guidance

Published on 27 February 2020 02:15 PM

With the Coronavirus hitting the headlines every day, it can be hard to keep track of the latest updates and advice, so we’ve put together this page to try and help guide you.

What Norfolk County Council has to say

“The coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, is still a rapidly evolving situation. On Thursday 30 January the World Health Organization declared this as a global health emergency and in response, the four UK Chief Medical Officers raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. It is being led at national level by Public Health England.

The NHS is extremely well-prepared and used to managing infections, and are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had to prevent further spread. NHS and partners have been preparing for UK cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and have robust infection control measures in place to respond immediately.

Norfolk County Council will continue to review the situation and are following all advice from Public Health England.”

Useful Information and Advice from NHS England

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a cough
  • a high temperature
  • shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How coronavirus is spread

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

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading:

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

What to do if you have any health concerns

If you have any health concerns, check the NHS website for up-to-date advice and guidance, and for regular updates on travel information, symptoms and precautionary measures.

If you are concerned that you are unwell, the NHS advice line is 111.