Contents
- What is coronavirus?
- Latest official advice
- Official health information
- Other official guidance
- Our Resource Centre
What is coronavirus?
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. The 2019 novel coronavirus has been spreading since it was first reported in December 2019.
Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Help the NHS track the virus
An NHS coronavirus status tracker has been launched by the NHS for people to report potential coronavirus symptoms. The survey will help the NHS understand more about how and where coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting people currently. Anyone can complete this tracker, therefore you do not need to necessarily have symptoms to start this tracker.
Latest official advice
The latest Government advice Monday 11 May can be found here on Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions what you can and can't do.
Stay alert - we can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:-
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
More information and guidance from Public Health England on coronavirus (or COVID-19) can be found on nhs.uk/coronavirus
The repeated advice from experts at Public Health England is that hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing or coughing into a tissue is the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
You should:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- 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 and wash your hands afterwards
Official health information
There is lots of misinformation being shared about coronavirus, the following organisations are providing regular official information and updates both on their websites and via social media.
- Sign up for WhatsApp alerts from GOV.UK - text hi to 07860 064422 to choose to receive alerts on 9 subjects including What is coronavirus? Prevention, Symptoms, Stay at home, Travel, Latest numbers, Mythbusters, Share or More information.
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- DHSC on Twitter
- DHSC on Facebook
Other official guidance
Coronavirus testing
Please see our coronavirus testing page for details about eligibility and how to book a test.
Education
- The latest information on schools and how to apply for a place if you're a key worker is available on our schools pages
- Information for parent/carers of children and young people with SEND
Funerals
- Government have issued some guidance regarding funerals.
- To ensure that organisations managing funerals are able to cope with the increased number of deaths, it is important that funerals are not delayed.
- An information and advice leaflet for the bereaved in Surrey can be downloaded below.
Visas
Our Resource Centre
- Our resources for partners includes campaign assets you can download and use in your local community.
- Our resources for residents contains a range of accessible assets explaining different aspects of Coronavirus.
Files available to download
- Bereavement Advice (101.0 KB)