Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

CORONAVIRUS

Information About Coronavirus - COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a ‘type’ of virus. The coronavirus we are all hearing about is called COVID-19, but you may also hear it called - coronavirus.

How serious is COVID-19?

The evidence shows us that the vast majority of people who get this virus have relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. But in a small percentage of cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. This is particularly true for people with a weakened immune system, for older people and for those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. 

A lot of false information about this virus is being shared - it’s very important that you make sure that the information you use comes from a trusted source - all of the information on this page has been sourced from the NHS and Public Health England.

How can you avoid getting and spreading the virus?

The virus spreads easily via droplets from coughs and sneezes and can stay on surfaces. It's possible that a lot of us will get it and be affected by it, but if you follow the advice below you will reduce your risk and the risk to others.

  • Clean hands - wash hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds. Do this before leaving home and after returning home, before eating and drinking, and after coughing or sneezing;
  • Cover your mouth and nose - with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze - tissue in the bin and wash, or disinfect, your hands immediately;
  • Don't touch your face - keep your hands away from your face - especially your eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Clean surfaces - disinfect surfaces around you  - especially mobiles, computers, keyboards, worktops, desks, handles;
  • Avoid ill people - stay away from people who have symptoms, and self-isolate if you have symptoms yourself.

Hands, Face, Space: the three simple actions we must all take to keep on protecting each other:

  • Wash hands: keep washing your hands regularly.
  • Cover face: wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.
  • Make space: stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions.

What are the symptoms?

If you are infected you may have very minor symptoms, minor symptoms or more severe symptoms, but the NHS cites the following symptoms to look out for as:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature);
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual);
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal. 

What should I do if I have any of the above symptoms?

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

  • Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
  • You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
  • Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.

You can get a free NHS Coronavirus test here.

Isolate yourself immediately

However, if:

  • You are, or become, unable to manage with your symptoms at home
  • Your conditions get worse
  • Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

You should use the online 111 service or if you can't use the online service call 111

Isolating yourself

If you have symptoms or have tested positive for coronavirus, you'll usually need to self-isolate for at least 10 days.

You'll usually need to self-isolate for 14 days if:

  • someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
  • someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
  • you've been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace

Full NHS guidance on self-isolating can be found here.

USEFUL LINKS:

News

Robert Welcomes Chancellor's Winter Economy Plan

The Chancellor has just set out the Government's Winter Economy Plan – the next phase of our planned economic response to Coronavirus, following the Prime Minister’s address to the nation earlier this week.

Government Support in West Oxfordshire

New figures released today show the huge amount of Government support that has been made available locally in response to the Coronavirus pandemic - protecting jobs and businesses across West Oxfordshire.

Planned Changes to Coronavirus Rules to be Postponed

The Prime Minister has announced that some of the proposed changes to the rules in August will be postponed for at least a fortnight - this is to keep the virus under control.

Today’s update means:

Restrictions Eased on Visiting Care Homes

Thanks to everyone's hard work to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, the Government is now able, carefully and safely, to ease restrictions on visitors to care homes.

Face Coverings to be Mandatory in Shops From Friday

From tomorrow (24 July), face coverings will be mandatory in additional enclosed public spaces, including shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and transport hubs. Venues such as restaurants, pubs and gyms are exempt.

Further Businesses Allowed to Reopen

Yesterday the Government announced the next phase of the careful reopening of the economy, with further businesses and venues given permission to reopen in the coming days and weeks.

The announcement means that: