• Isn’t the Coronavirus the same as seasonal flu?
  1. No, this is not just the flu. Coronavirus is much more infectious and spreads much faster than seasonal flu.
  2. Flu has a death rate of 0.1%. The World Health Organisation quotes 3.4% as the fatality rate from Coronavirus.
  3. An estimated 15-20% individuals infected with Coronavirus will suffer from severe symptoms that require medical attention, including pneumonia with shortness of breath and low blood oxygen levels. 
• What are the chances I will get seriously ill if I get Coronavirus?
  1. If you are < 60 years old and in relatively good health, the chances of death or severe complication is low. According to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, people aged:
     1. 50-59 are 13x more likely to die from Coronavirus infection;
     2. 60-69 are 36x more likely to die from Coronavirus infection;
     3. 70-79 are 80x more likely to die from Coronavirus infection;
     4. 80+ are 148x more likely to die from Coronavirus infection.
     5. If you have a weakened immune system, the risk is also higher.

• How do I catch Coronavirus?
  1. The virus is spread from person-to-person through infected respiratory droplets. If a person does not cover their nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing they can spray the virus into the air, onto other people’s clothes or skin, or onto surfaces.
  2. The virus can also be carried on people’s hands and transmitted from person-to-person when you come to touch each other, e.g. shaking hands, on clothing, or on contaminated surfaces.
  3. Experts do not know exactly how long the virus can live on surfaces and this range can be anything from several hours to several days.  

• What can I do to limit the chance of me catching the virus?
  1. Stand back: Stand at least 3 feet / 1 metre away from people who are coughing and sneezing, or if you are in a queue.
  2. Wash your hands regularly: You should wash your hands regularly with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds – this is the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
  3. Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser: This needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
  4. Avoid touching your face: You can transmit the virus from your skin to your eyes, mouth, or nose.
  5. Avoid shaking hands: Use alternative methods of greeting – elbow bumps, prayer hands, salutes, or whatever feels most comfortable for you.
  6. Keep surfaces clean if you think they may be contaminated
  7. Stay home: Staying away from groups of people may help you avoid being exposed. 

• If I have got the virus, how long does it take for symptoms to show?
  1. Symptoms take roughly 2-14 days to show up. The chances of passing on the virus if you do not have any symptoms is thought to be very low at this time, but it is still vital that you limit your public activities to those that are essential to lower the chance of contracting or passing the virus on. 

• What symptoms am I looking out for?
  1. Cough – this tends to be a dry and persistent cough
  2. Fever – a temperature of 37.7^oC or above. If you do not have a thermometer at home, you may feel hot or have a flushed face, or you may have chills in your body.
  3. Breathlessness
  4. Body aches and pains and feeling generally unwell – although take note, this symptom may not be as frequent with coronavirus as seen with a flu-like illness. 

• What should I do if I have any of these symptoms?
  1. You should immediately self-isolate at home for at least 7 days.
  2. You should take plenty of warm fluids and simple medicines, such as Paracetamol to help control fever and relieve body aches and pains.
  3. If you develop shortness of breath, difficulty catching your breath, chest pains, or are breathing at a fast rate then you should call 111.  

• How long should I self-isolate for if I have cough and/or fever?
  1. You should self-isolate for 7 days, or longer if you continue to feel unwell.  

• What should I do if one member of my household has symptoms? Do we all need to isolate?
• There is imminent guidance that all household members should self-isolate for 7 days if any member in the house is symptomatic. Please be alert for this!!! 

• What about my shopping?
  1. Try contacting family or friends to help with shopping delivery.
  2. Family or friends can also help you with ordering online shopping.
  3. You may wish to consider contacting a meals provider to deliver your meals e.g. Wiltshire Farm Foods

• I am supposed to be going to a social event / party / gathering – should I go?
  1. The only way to slow the spread of the virus is to limit your exposure to other people which may have the virus. This means putting a halt on your proposed social gatherings. You can always consider these again at a later date.  

• I am due to go on holiday. Will I be able to go? Should I go?The Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice is constantly under review. The advice is against travel to some countries unless essential. Further information can be found on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus.
• Before you travel:

• Check the travel advice on the gov.uk website

• Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance

• Check with your airline, tour operator, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers for any coronavirus-related changes

• Plan ahead for any potential disruption to your travel

If you are older, or if you have pre-existing medical conditions *e.g asthma, diabetes, heart disease, you are more likely to become severely ill if you catch the virus. Consider whether travel at this time is the right choice for you. Check the NHS guidance before you travel.