Novel Coronavirus update 13.02.2020

Novel Coronavirus update 13.02.2020

Summary: An update on the latest Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation – including information on up to date government guidance and a summary of action being taken in Cheshire West and Chester. Information correct as of 13.02.2020.

Background
A coronavirus is a type of virus.
As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

What is happening
As of 13 February 2020, nine patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus.
If more cases are confirmed in the UK, it will be announced as soon as possible by the Chief Medical Officer of the affected country.

UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

All NHS hospitals have now established Coronavirus support centres / assessment pods which have a 24/7 isolation area on-site.

This will mean that people with symptoms indicative of infection will get a quick assessment, while other patients receive the appropriate care they need.

Members of the public who think they may have been exposed to coronavirus are asked to ring NHS 111 and not to enter the Emergency department or hospital buildings apart from designated assessment areas, which are clearly signposted.

The Department for Education (DfE) has sent guidance for schools and parents to all schools and early years settings.

Guidance has been shared with universities and to specific communities.

When it is happening
Weekly teleconferences are being held to update health and Public Health partners across Cheshire and Mersey, led by Public Health England.

The Local Resilience Forum (LRF) are similarly involved in a weekly teleconference for Emergency Planning partners.

Cheshire West and Chester Public Health, NHS and Emergency planning are collaborating closely to ensure appropriate plans are in place and that updated guidance is implemented locally.

Key messages:
There are simple things we can all do to slow the spread of almost any germs.
Catch your cough or sneeze in a tissue, bin the tissue, and wash your hands with soap and water, or use sanitiser gel.
Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.

View Public information (updated daily) at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

The Cheshire West and Chester Council website also provides links to the Novel coronavirus updates at:
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/coronavirus-latest-information.aspx

Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care are providing updates via their social media channels:
Twitter:
Department of Health and Social Care = @DHSCgovuk
Public Health England = @PHE_uk

Facebook:
Public Health England

Ian Ashworth
Responsible Committee, Cabinet Member: Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader and Cllr Val Armstrong Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health
Date: 13 February 2020