The number of cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continue to increase in the UK and across the world, so much so that the World Health Organisation declared it a global pandemic earlier this week.
In Somerset, we currently have no live recorded cases of Coronavirus. The Somerset Coronavirus case listed on the government website is historical and relates to a Somerset resident who caught the virus abroad and was treated out of county.
Somerset Health, Social Care and Councils have been gearing up for the outbreak and have well-rehearsed plans in place and continue to work closely to ensure services continue and the most vulnerable residents are supported during the outbreak.
We’ve entered the Government’s new ‘Delay’ phase
The Government announced yesterday that we have now entered the ‘delay’ phase in the fight against the Coronavirus. This means people with symptoms will no longer be routinely tested. In line with the latest Government guidance, people with a fever and/or new continuous cough are asked to stay home and self-isolate for 7 days. School trips abroad should now be cancelled and anyone aged over 70 urged not to go on cruises.
Please help get the word out that anyone who develops a high temperature or a new, continuous cough is asked to stay at home in self-isolation for seven days. For advice on how to self-isolate, read the NHS advice about staying at home.
What can we all do?
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Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water (see poster below)
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Avoid touching your face (particularly your nose, mouth and eyes)
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Wipe down surfaces and objects regularly
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Use a tissue when coughing and sneezing, then binning it and washing your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, use the crook of your arm rather than your hand. ‘Catch it, Bin It, Kill It.’
