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Coronavirus: How do you self-isolate successfully? Coronavirus: Should I self-isolate and how do I do it?
(3 days later)
Many more people may be asked to self-isolate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the UK, the NHS has warned. But what do you have to do if you might be at risk? Some people are being asked to isolate themselves to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
More than 80 people who spent two weeks in quarantine were hailed as setting an "important example" by NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens, as he said people may increasingly be asked to isolate themselves. So, what do you need to know about self-isolation and how to do it?
There are no official figures on the numbers of people advised to self-isolate, but the approach is seen as a crucial way of minimising the spread of the virus. Do I need to self-isolate?
But what does self-isolation mean and how do you ensure it works? You may need to isolate yourself if you have travelled to an affected area, or have been in close contact with an infected person.
Who should isolate themselves? Travellers returning from many parts of Asia where the virus is prevalent and Italy north of Pisa - you can find a full list of countries here - are only being asked to self-isolate and get tested if they feel symptoms. These include a cough, fever or shortness of breath.
At the moment, health authorities are advising three groups to self-isolate: Don't go to the GP or hospital - stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if your symptoms are mild. (In parts of Wales where 111 isn't available, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, and in Northern Ireland you should call your GP.)
If you have travelled to mainland China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and you are experiencing symptoms such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath, you may need testing. Other people returning from some virus hotspots are being asked to isolate themselves and call 111 - even if they have no symptoms.
This also applies to anyone feeling the same symptoms if they returned from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or parts of northern Italy, since 19 February.
In these cases, don't go to the GP or hospital - stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if your symptoms are mild. (In parts of Wales where 111 isn't available, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, and in Northern Ireland you should call your GP.)
Some travellers are being asked to isolate themselves even if they have no symptoms.
That applies if you've returned from Iran, the towns in northern Italy under quarantine or the "special care zones" in South Korea since 19 February - or from Hubei province in China in the last 14 days.That applies if you've returned from Iran, the towns in northern Italy under quarantine or the "special care zones" in South Korea since 19 February - or from Hubei province in China in the last 14 days.
People will also be asked to self-isolate if they have been in "close and sustained" contact with individuals confirmed to have the virus. Spending 15 minutes within two metres (6ft) of an infected person is judged to be a significant risk. People should also self-isolate if they have been in "close and sustained" contact with individuals with the virus. Spending 15 minutes within two metres (6ft) of an infected person is judged to be a significant risk.
Public Health England is tracing people who have been in close contact with coronavirus patients, and is advising them what to do. What should I do in self-isolation?
What should you do when you're in self-isolation? People needing to self-isolate should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people, says Public Health England.
The advice from PHE is to take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible - just as you would if you had the flu. That means staying at home for 14 days, not going to work, school or other public places, and avoiding public transport or taxis.
That means staying at home for 14 days, and not going to work, school or other public places. You should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened and remain separate from other people in your home.
You should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be open, separate from the other people in your home. Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication. It's OK to have friends, family or delivery drivers drop off supplies to get you through the two weeks.
Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication - it's OK to have friends, family or delivery drivers drop off supplies to get you through the two weeks.
But you shouldn't have any visitors, PHE says. You can have deliveries left on the doorstep.But you shouldn't have any visitors, PHE says. You can have deliveries left on the doorstep.
What if you live with someone who is self-isolating? If you share a kitchen with others, try to avoid using it when other people are there and take your meals back to your room to eat.
Although you might not be able to separate yourself from family members or flatmates, entirely, the advice is to limit contact as much as possible. You should even try to stay away from your pets - if that isn't possible, wash your hands before and after touching them.
Advice given to people living with potential coronavirus patients recommends washing your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with the patient or something that they have handled. Will I still get paid?
It says you shouldn't share towels and toiletries with someone in isolation and they should have a separate bathroom and toilet. Workers told to self-isolate by NHS 111 or public health authorities are entitled to take the time as sick leave, the government has said.
If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last. Along with permanent staff, many casual or agency workers may be entitled to sick pay, but self-employed people are not. Citizens Advice says people on zero-hours contracts can still get sick pay and should ask their employer.
However, if you're not ill and don't have symptoms during your self-isolation, employment law experts say there's no automatic right to sick pay.
You can claim universal credit if you're prevented from working because of a risk to public health.
If you need to care for a relative, or your child's school is closed and you need to look after them at short notice, your employer must give you time off.
You probably won't get paid for it, unless it says so in your contract - but you may be able to work from home.
What if I live with someone who is self-isolating?
Although you might not be able to entirely separate yourself from family members or flatmates, the advice is to limit contact as much as possible.
You should wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with the patient or something that they have handled.
You shouldn't share towels, toiletries or other household items with someone in isolation and they should have a separate bathroom and toilet.
If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last, cleaning it thoroughly afterwards if they are able.
Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged. Don't throw these bags away until you know whether or not the isolated person has the virus.Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged. Don't throw these bags away until you know whether or not the isolated person has the virus.
If the person tests positive, you will be told what to do with their waste.If the person tests positive, you will be told what to do with their waste.
Do you still get paid if you can't go to work?
You might be asked to self-isolate even if you only have mild symptoms. But you should still get paid, just as if you were too ill to work.
"If you are requested by a medical practitioner to self-isolate, then you should receive sick pay although some unscrupulous employers may try to evade paying it," says a spokesman for the Unite trade union.
But the union warns some casual and gig economy workers might have no provision for sick pay in their contract. An Uber driver found their account was suspended after they drove a coronavirus patient to hospital - although Uber says it is "supporting" the driver.
What do people who've been in self-isolation say?
One nurse who self-isolated after coming into direct contact with an at-risk patient said she faced long delays to be told what to do after contacting NHS 111.
And she said it was painful to be isolated from loved ones.
"When I got home, my family had packed and gone. I've got kids, and they were understandably upset they had to leave," she told the Brighton Argus.
Others have complained about the boredom and the suspense of not knowing if they might be infected. But some have reported getting the all-clear from the lab after a few days, cutting short their isolation period.
And what do you do when you're finally free? As one of the Wuhan evacuees, Matt Raw, put it after leaving quarantine: "It's absolutely lovely to be out and I'll no doubt be going out for a pint a little bit later."