Updated Guidance Tuesday 17th March 2020

All healthcare staff should keep themselves updated on the Coronavirus outbreak across the UK.  Links to the latest government advice is below.

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (COVID 19) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. This virus is zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus.

What are the common signs and symptoms?

Respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

How does the Coronavirus Spread?

The virus spreads from person-to-person.

The virus is most likely spread through close contact with an infectious person contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face.

Prevention  

When working with our clients standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Carry hand sanitisers and tissues on your person.

Treatment

There is no vaccine for coronavirus at the moment, but medical care can treat most of the symptoms. Antibiotics do not work on viruses.

Important Latest Guidance Updates and Information

Below are a number of important links to the latest guidance on COVID-19. All agency healthcare workers should ensure they read all of the below guidance to ensure you are fully up to date with the latest guidance. As guidance is updated we will re post this guidance on this web page so please check this regularly. Nursing Personnel will also communicate any specific hospital or Trust guidance to agency workers as we receive it.

For the latest government and department of health advice and information on Coronavirus click here

For the latest information and recommendations for agency nurses and agency healthcare workers please click here

Guidance for Healthcare Workers who have a diagnosed case of COVID-19 within their facility click here

First Responders guidance and others in close contact with symptomatic people with potential COVID-19 click here.

For the latest government information and guidance on Infection Control click here

For those individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. For the latest guidance on Social Distancing click here