Published on: 11 February 2020

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  • For general advice about Coronavirus, visit www.nhs.uk where there is further information and links to other national websites
  • If you believe you have symptoms, stay at home and call NHS 111 straight-away
  • If you have a hospital appointment, please be advised that our hospitals remain fully open as usual and that it’s important to attend appointments

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
The NHS in East Lancashire and Blackburn w/Darwen and Public Health England are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
 
The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, follow the specific advice for returning travellers.
 
Anyone who has travelled to China or places listed above in the last 14 days and who develops symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, should immediately:
  • Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
  • Telephone NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country
Information for the public is available at gov.uk/coronavirus
 
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
 
The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan, Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.
 
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the hospital and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that comes into contact with suspected cases is thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.
 

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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