Information on Coronavirus

Advice and Information – 2 December 2020

Read the latest advice and information from NHS England and Public Health England about the Coronavirus.

For the most up to date information about COVID-19, go to GOV.UK.

Correct as of 5th January 2021

We are in National lockdown: Stay at Home - find out what you can and can't do

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do.

Find out more

If you think you might have coronavirus

Symptoms

A high temperature
A new, continuous cough
Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

What to do if you have these symptoms

You must get a test. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You should stay at home and self isolate.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available is available on the Government's website.

Click here for advice about staying at home and treatment for you and anyone who live with.

Care home residents or staff

There’s a separate testing service for care home residents or staff members. You can still get tested even if you do not have symptoms.

If you’re going into hospital

You may need to get tested if you’re due to have surgery or a procedure. The hospital will arrange this for you. Contact your hospital department if you have any questions.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
Your condition gets worse
Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service

How to self isolate if you or someone in your house has coronavirus

Stay at home and self-isolate. Do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis.

Your isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms, whether this was an LFD or PCR test), and the next 10 full days.

For more information about when to self isolate and what this means for families visit the Government website.

More information on self isolating

Local Tracing Partnership service

The Local Tracing Partnership service has been set up to support the national NHS Test and Trace service across East Sussex and West Sussex.

If you have tested positive for coronavirus, the national NHS Test and Trace team will contact you to give advice and obtain details of anyone you’ve been in contact with.

However, if the NHS Test and Trace team have been unable to contact you within 48 hours, your case will be passed to West Sussex County Council who will try and contact you.

The local service is based at the COVID-19 Community Hub in West Sussex and active from 8.00am to 8.00pm daily, including weekends.

For more information on Local Tracing Partnership services, click here.

How to avoid spreading the infection

Do:

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 straight away.
Wash your hands with soap and water often, and for 20 seconds – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don't:

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Face coverings

If you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people.

There are some places where you must wear a face covering, such as:

on public transport
in shops
when you go to hospital appointments or visit someone in hospital

Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings, read more here.

Advice for people at high risk

If you or your child has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, you will receive a letter from the government addressed personally to you. This letter is to let you know about the new guidance that will be in place for clinically extremely vulnerable people.

To receive copies of the letter and guidance in braille, audio and large print formats, email Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) or call 0303 123 9999. Further information is available from RNIB.