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Coronavirus: What will happen to exams, and more questions | |
(5 days later) | |
There have so far been more than 90,000 global cases of the new coronavirus, more than 80,000 of them in China. The disease, which has spread to more than 50 countries, has been declared a global health emergency, and more than 3,000 people have died. | |
Here is a range of of readers' questions about the disease. | |
What preparations are being made by the exam boards should schools be forced to close? - Amanda, Berkshire | |
The exams watchdog Ofqual says it is monitoring the situation closely - but so far there are no changes planned for the timetables for A-level and GCSE exams this summer. | |
It says it is working closely with exam boards and the Department for Education, and will update its guidance if required. | |
In the meantime, it says that students, schools and colleges should continue to prepare for exams as usual. | |
And it added that there would be guidance to "manage any particular risks" to the exam season if coronavirus were to become widespread. | |
Should companies change their hot-desking policy in light of the virus? - Philip Cloke | |
Poor hygiene when hot-desking - sharing a single work desk with others - can create conditions for germs and viruses to spread. | |
It's thought the new coronavirus is transmitted by droplets from coughs or sneezes from an infected person, as well as contaminated surfaces. | |
Experts believe coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours and possibly days. You should wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and spread of the virus. | |
There have been media reports that some companies are stopping hot-desking because of concerns about coronavirus. However, there has been no official advice from health experts or the government that such a move is necessary or recommended. | |
What does self-quarantine involve? - Alan Gell - Stockport, Cheshire | |
You may need to isolate yourself if you: | |
Self-isolation means staying at home for 14 days, not going to work, school or other public places, and avoiding public transport or taxis. You should also stay separate from other people in your home. | |
Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication dropped off - you can have doorstep deliveries, but you shouldn't have any visitors. | |
You should even try to stay away from your pets - if that isn't possible, wash your hands before and after touching them. | |
You can read more about self isolating here. | |
My mother-in-law, in her 80s, regularly attends church. What's the advice about sharing a communion cup? - Joanna Gordon, Walton-on-Thames | My mother-in-law, in her 80s, regularly attends church. What's the advice about sharing a communion cup? - Joanna Gordon, Walton-on-Thames |
A number of churches have issued advice regarding coronavirus. The Church of England says that there is no government advice suggesting that the use of shared communion cups should be suspended. | A number of churches have issued advice regarding coronavirus. The Church of England says that there is no government advice suggesting that the use of shared communion cups should be suspended. |
But it says that intinction - where the communion bread is dipped in wine - is not recommended as it can allow infections to spread, and pose a risk to people with certain allergies. | But it says that intinction - where the communion bread is dipped in wine - is not recommended as it can allow infections to spread, and pose a risk to people with certain allergies. |
And it adds that churches should already be following best-hygiene practices, including advising priests and other church officials at communion to ensure their hands are clean. | And it adds that churches should already be following best-hygiene practices, including advising priests and other church officials at communion to ensure their hands are clean. |
Until there is an outbreak in the UK - and it's being passed from person to person, which isn't happening at the moment - sharing a communion cup is no more dangerous than it would be during the average winter when flu is circulating. | Until there is an outbreak in the UK - and it's being passed from person to person, which isn't happening at the moment - sharing a communion cup is no more dangerous than it would be during the average winter when flu is circulating. |
How do you stand insurance-wise if you have to be quarantined during an overseas holiday? - Mrs Dal, Manchester | How do you stand insurance-wise if you have to be quarantined during an overseas holiday? - Mrs Dal, Manchester |
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says this depends on the type of holiday you booked. | The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says this depends on the type of holiday you booked. |
If you are quarantined while on holiday, you should first approach the company through which you booked it for advice on what to do. | If you are quarantined while on holiday, you should first approach the company through which you booked it for advice on what to do. |
It is expected that the government or authority which imposed the quarantine will cover the costs of food and accommodation. | It is expected that the government or authority which imposed the quarantine will cover the costs of food and accommodation. |
If the quarantine period extends beyond the time that you would have spent on holiday you should contact your travel insurer. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with an extended stay, | If the quarantine period extends beyond the time that you would have spent on holiday you should contact your travel insurer. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with an extended stay, |
If your holiday is booked with a firm that is protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, then you should be covered for the cost of the return flights. | If your holiday is booked with a firm that is protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, then you should be covered for the cost of the return flights. |
That usually applies to package holidays only. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says, this will depend on your travel insurance cover. | That usually applies to package holidays only. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says, this will depend on your travel insurance cover. |
In addition, if you have arranged your own travel and accommodation you should check the details of your insurance cover. | In addition, if you have arranged your own travel and accommodation you should check the details of your insurance cover. |
You can read the ABI's detailed advice on coronavirus and travel here. | You can read the ABI's detailed advice on coronavirus and travel here. |
How dangerous is coronavirus for people who, like me, have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk | How dangerous is coronavirus for people who, like me, have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk |
Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma. | Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma. |
Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma. | Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma. |
These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus. | These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus. |
If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed. | If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed. |
Asthma UK's full advice regarding coronavirus can be found here. | Asthma UK's full advice regarding coronavirus can be found here. |
If my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected? - Pat Jackson | If my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected? - Pat Jackson |
No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet. | No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet. |
Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon. | Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon. |
But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans. | But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans. |
Will people who have already had pneumonia experience milder symptoms from coronavirus? - Marje, Montreal, Canada | Will people who have already had pneumonia experience milder symptoms from coronavirus? - Marje, Montreal, Canada |
The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions. | The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions. |
But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to. | But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to. |
The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available. | The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available. |
What questions do you have about the coronavirus? | What questions do you have about the coronavirus? |
In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. | In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy. |
Use this form to ask your question: | Use this form to ask your question: |