1. Are my symptoms related to the coronavirus?
The symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to other illnesses, including the common cold or flu. These can include a headache, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and a high temperature.
With this in mind, it is very unlikely that you have contracted the coronavirus unless you have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of the virus. It is also unlikely unless you have visited a country or area with a high risk or the coronavirus in the last 14 days.
2. Someone at school, university or work has recently returned from China, what should I do?
People should continue to go to school, university or their place of work as normal.
Only those who have a confirmed case of the coronavirus, have been in contact with someone who has the coronavirus or have visited a country or area with a high risk of the coronavirus are advised to stay at home.
3. Can younger people contract the coronavirus or does it only affect older people?
Individuals of all ages are at risk of contracting the coronavirus. Infants, the elderly and people with a pre-existing medical condition (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) are at risk becoming severely ill with the coronavirus.
People should follow simple hygiene instructions to stop the virus from spreading, by coughing and sneezing into a tissue and disposing of it straight away, as well as washing their hands with soap and water.
4. How can I slow the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands more often than usual, whenever you return home from work, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. It is paramount that you use soap and water or a hand sanitizer to prevent it from spreading between surfaces that you subsequently touch.
5. Is there a vaccine for the coronavirus?
The virus is so new and different to viruses that have preceded this one, that there is currently no vaccine for the coronavirus (Covid-19). As a result everyone is being advised to undertake simple hygiene measures, as well as avoid people who are unwell to slow viruses, such as the coronavirus, from spreading.
6. Should I avoid public transport, mass gatherings, or places and events with large crowds?
As it stands, you only need to stay away from public places or events with large crowds if the government or NHS has advised you to.
7. Can I catch the coronavirus from mail or parcels from China or other affected countries?
There is currently no evidence that the corona virus can be caught from parcels or letters.
8. Can I contract the coronavirus from food or takeaways?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that you can catch the coronavirus from food. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water before and after you prepare or eat food.
9. Can I get tested for the coronavirus?
Tests for the coronavirus are only carried if there is a high chance you have the illness. This may be because you are showing the symptoms after being in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of the virus or have travelled to a country that has a large record of people with the coronavirus.
10. What happens if a health professional thinks I have the coronavirus?
If the health protection team believe that you have contracted the coronavirus, samples of mucus from your nose, throat or lungs, blood and faecal matter will be taken away for testing. In the meantime, it is strongly advised that you isolate yourself from other people until it has been confirmed.
WINNS has experience in dealing with controlling an infection from inside hospital theatres to catering establishments in the workplace. We comprehensively train, monitor and assist each of our cleaners to ensure any work undertaken is carried out to the highest standards.
To find out more about the Coronavirus and how we can help, do not hesitate to contact us.