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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: What is shielding? | Coronavirus: What is shielding? |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| More than a million people most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch coronavirus are being asked to stay at home for at least 12 weeks. | More than a million people most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch coronavirus are being asked to stay at home for at least 12 weeks. |
| This "shielding" is to protect lives, with those affected being written to over the next couple of days. | |
| Why do it? | Why do it? |
| Cases of coronavirus are increasing rapidly in the UK, which suggests it is circulating in the community and spreading from person to person. | Cases of coronavirus are increasing rapidly in the UK, which suggests it is circulating in the community and spreading from person to person. |
| While everyone is being advised to keep their distance from other people to help stop the spread, some people with underlying health conditions need to take even more precautions to protect themselves. | While everyone is being advised to keep their distance from other people to help stop the spread, some people with underlying health conditions need to take even more precautions to protect themselves. |
| Who should do it? | Who should do it? |
| Those most at risk, who include: | |
| Anyone in this highest risk category who has not received a letter from the NHS by Sunday 29 March 2020 or been contacted by their doctor should get in touch with their GP or hospital doctor by phone or online. | |
| This does not include all elderly people, although they are strongly advised to practice social distancing and only go out if really necessary. | |
| Is it compulsory? | Is it compulsory? |
| Experts strongly advise people with serious underlying health conditions to follow the advice. If this applies to you, shielding is for your personal protection - it is your choice to decide whether to follow the recommendations. | Experts strongly advise people with serious underlying health conditions to follow the advice. If this applies to you, shielding is for your personal protection - it is your choice to decide whether to follow the recommendations. |
| You could call your doctor to discuss this. | You could call your doctor to discuss this. |
| What does it entail? | What does it entail? |
| It means staying at home at all times. You should not go out to shop or go for a walk in public places - it is fine to go into your garden if you have one. | It means staying at home at all times. You should not go out to shop or go for a walk in public places - it is fine to go into your garden if you have one. |
| You should avoid any face-to-face contact, so that means no visitors. | You should avoid any face-to-face contact, so that means no visitors. |
| Visits from people who provide you essential healthcare and personal support are fine. Carers and care workers should stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus and anyone coming into your home should keep their hands clean by washing with soap and water. | Visits from people who provide you essential healthcare and personal support are fine. Carers and care workers should stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus and anyone coming into your home should keep their hands clean by washing with soap and water. |
| What about any people I live with? | What about any people I live with? |
| They do not need to shield themselves but must make sure they follow recommendations to shield you. | They do not need to shield themselves but must make sure they follow recommendations to shield you. |
| They should also stringently follow the guidance on social distancing. | |
| They should also keep some physical distance (two metres) from you and keep to a minimum the time spent in shared spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom and lounge. Shared spaces should be kept well ventilated - open a window. | They should also keep some physical distance (two metres) from you and keep to a minimum the time spent in shared spaces such as the kitchen, bathroom and lounge. Shared spaces should be kept well ventilated - open a window. |
| If you can, use a separate bathroom and bedroom from the rest of the household, and also make sure you use separate towels. | |
| If you share a toilet and bathroom, make sure they are cleaned after every use. Consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first. | If you share a toilet and bathroom, make sure they are cleaned after every use. Consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first. |
| Use the kitchen when others are not in there and take your meals back to your room to eat. Coronavirus is spread through droplets (from coughs and sneezes), so do not share cutlery or crockery, unless it is clean. Use a dishwasher if you have one. Soap or washing up liquid and water gets rid of the virus too. | Use the kitchen when others are not in there and take your meals back to your room to eat. Coronavirus is spread through droplets (from coughs and sneezes), so do not share cutlery or crockery, unless it is clean. Use a dishwasher if you have one. Soap or washing up liquid and water gets rid of the virus too. |
| Keep surfaces that are frequently touched clean - door handles, taps and handrails. | Keep surfaces that are frequently touched clean - door handles, taps and handrails. |
| What about my medicine and food? | What about my medicine and food? |
| Communities Minister Robert Jenrick said parcels of food, which would be free initially, and medicines would be delivered to those affected via community hubs. | |
| The Treasury will cover the cost and in time hope to refine the scheme so it is "more tailored to individuals' needs". | |
| How long will shielding last? | How long will shielding last? |
| The advice is for 12 weeks from the day you receive the recommendation. You will be contacted again if the advice is updated. | |
| What should I do if I get a cough or fever? | What should I do if I get a cough or fever? |
| These are symptoms of coronavirus. It does not mean that you definitely have it, but you should contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111 or your doctor. Do this as soon as you get symptoms. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or hospital. | These are symptoms of coronavirus. It does not mean that you definitely have it, but you should contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111 or your doctor. Do this as soon as you get symptoms. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or hospital. |
| In an emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill. | In an emergency, call 999 if you are seriously ill. |
| Other tips to stay safe and well | Other tips to stay safe and well |
| Good hygiene can stop the virus spreading: | Good hygiene can stop the virus spreading: |
| Keep physically active by exercising indoors or in your garden if that's possible. | Keep physically active by exercising indoors or in your garden if that's possible. |
| Look after your mental wellbeing. Stay in touch with friends on the phone, by post or online. | |
| Prepare a hospital bag just in case - this should include your emergency contact, a list of medicines you take and any information on your planned care appointments as well as things you would need for an overnight stay, such as a toothbrush and pyjamas. | Prepare a hospital bag just in case - this should include your emergency contact, a list of medicines you take and any information on your planned care appointments as well as things you would need for an overnight stay, such as a toothbrush and pyjamas. |
| Extra help | Extra help |
| From Tuesday 24 March, you can register for support with food, shopping and deliveries and additional care. | From Tuesday 24 March, you can register for support with food, shopping and deliveries and additional care. |