Last night the government announced new rules to tackle COVID-19, a coronavirus that can affect your lungs and airways. It is important everyone has the right information at this time, so please read this email and share this information with people you know.

Stay at Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives

Everyone must now stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.

The only reasons to leave home are:-

·  To shop for basic necessities or pick up medicine

·  Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

·  To travel to work if you absolutely cannot work from home

·  To exercise once a day on your own or with people in your household

Please telephone rather than visiting people in hospital where at all possible.

If you have to go out for one of these reasons

·  Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people

·  Wash your hands for 20 seconds as soon as you get home

Please watch this short government video for a summary of the changes that they have put in place as of today.

The situation is changing often so please check on the NHS website for the latest information on what everyone should be doing and what to do if you have symptoms (a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough).

Advice for People at Higher Risk

You may be at high risk from coronavirus if you:

·  have had an organ transplant

·  are having certain types of cancer treatment

·  have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia

·  have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma

·  have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections

·  are taking medicine that weakens your immune system

·  are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

Advice for people at high risk is to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks. Find out more about additional action for vulnerable people by reading this guidance.

Getting Help to Stay at Home – with or without symptoms

Staying at home will slow the spread of the virus, help the NHS to cope and save lives. Ask family, friends and neighbours to get what you need such as shopping or prescriptions, and use online services. Liverpool City Council has volunteers geared up to support people too, so you can also call Liverpool City Council on 0151 233 3066 from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week or request help online.

Liverpool City Council also want to identify more volunteers. If you are free to offer to help someone the number is 0151 233 3068 or register to volunteer online.

Getting Medical Help

If you need medical help not related to coronavirus, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital in person.

For health information and advice, please use these internet and phone options:-

·  The NHS website to check symptoms and for health advice

·  Your GP surgery website ( use this link to find it ) and use their online support where possible.

·  For same-day medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. Call 111 if you’re unable to get help online.

·  For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance.

Please help share these official sources of information with your friends, family and colleagues and take good care.

 

Correct as of 24th March 2020.