What to Do When a Family Member Test Positive for Covid-19
1. What has changed
The self-isolation advice for people with coronavirus (COVID-nineteen) has changed. Information technology is now possible to end self-isolation subsequently 5 total days if yous have 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days. The showtime LFD test should non be taken before the 5th day later on your symptoms started (or the twenty-four hours your exam was taken if you did not take symptoms). The self-isolation catamenia remains x full days for those without negative results from 2 LFD tests taken a day autonomously.
2. Who this guidance is for
This guidance is for:
- people with symptoms that may exist caused by COVID-19, including those who are waiting for a COVID-19 exam result
- people who have received a positive COVID-19 LFD or PCR exam result (whether or non they have symptoms)
- people who currently live in the same household every bit someone with COVID-xix symptoms, or with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 by LFD or PCR test
In this guidance a household means:
- one person living alone
- a grouping of people (who may or may non be related) living at the aforementioned address and who share cooking facilities, bathrooms or toilets, or living areas – this may include students in boarding schools or halls of residence who share such facilities
- a group of people who share a nomadic way of life for example those who alive on Traveller sites, in vehicles or on canal boats
Follow separate guidance if you have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 only do not currently live in the same household as them.
If you take arrived in England from overseas you lot may also demand to cocky-isolate, but should follow separate guidance on travelling to England from another country during COVID-19.
This guidance applies in England.
3. Symptoms
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are contempo onset of whatsoever of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a loftier temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or aroma (anosmia)
For about people, COVID-19 will be a mild disease. However, if you accept any of the symptoms listed above, fifty-fifty if your symptoms are mild, stay at home and adapt to have a test. You do not need to take a PCR examination if yous have already taken an LFD test and the result was positive.
At that place are several other symptoms linked with COVID-19. These symptoms may have another cause and are not on their own a reason to accept a COVID-19 PCR examination. If you are concerned almost your symptoms, seek medical communication.
If y'all have received i or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine and have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or accept received a positive LFD or PCR test result, y'all should still follow this guidance. This is because it is even so possible to get COVID-xix and spread it to others, even if you are vaccinated.
four. Tests for COVID-xix
In that location are ii main types of test currently being used to notice if someone has COVID-nineteen:
- polymerase concatenation reaction (PCR) tests
- lateral flow device (LFD) antigen tests – likewise known as rapid lateral flow tests
iv.i PCR tests
PCR tests discover the RNA (ribonucleic acid, the genetic material) of a virus. It takes some time to get the results because PCR tests are usually processed in a laboratory.
PCR tests are the best way to diagnose COVID-19 infection in people who have symptoms and who also may require handling. If you have any of the principal symptoms of COVID-19, y'all should arrange to take a PCR test.
iv.2 LFD tests
LFD tests detect proteins in the coronavirus and work in a similar fashion to a pregnancy test. They are reliable, simple and quick to use and are very good at identifying people who have high levels of coronavirus and are most likely to pass on infection to others. When rates of infection are loftier, it is very likely that people with a positive LFD test result have COVID-xix.
LFD tests tin can be taken by people at dwelling (self-reported tests) or under the supervision of a trained operator who processes the examination, reads, and reports the result (assisted tests). LFD tests are mainly used in people who practice not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you take an LFD exam and the result is positive, y'all should study the outcome and follow this guidance.
Yous practice not need to have a follow-up PCR examination, unless:
- you lot wish to merits the Test and Trace Support Payment – to claim the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must have tested positive for COVID-19 following a PCR test or an assisted LFD exam
- you have received an email or letter from the NHS because of a health condition that means you may be suitable for new COVID-19 treatments – if this applies to you and you develop any COVID-xix symptoms, you should use the PCR exam kit that was sent to you in the post for this purpose; if you have not received a PCR test kit you lot can arrange to have a PCR examination
- you are taking LFD tests as part of research or surveillance programmes, and the programme asks you lot to accept a follow-upwardly PCR examination
- you accept a positive day 2 LFD exam upshot after you lot arrive in England
If your LFD test outcome is positive y'all may go on to develop symptoms in the next few days. If you develop any of the master symptoms of COVID-19 and you are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, contact 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency dial 999.
5. If y'all accept COVID-19 symptoms or a positive LFD or PCR test upshot
If y'all develop any of the master symptoms of COVID-19, stay at dwelling and self-isolate immediately.
If you take a positive LFD or PCR test issue merely do non take whatever of the principal symptoms of COVID-19, stay at dwelling house and self-isolate equally before long as you lot receive the results. You should do this fifty-fifty if you have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Other people in your household might need to self-isolate too. Delight see section below for information on what the other members of your household need to do.
5.one Order a PCR test if y'all take any of the principal symptoms of COVID-nineteen
If you accept any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, arrange to have a PCR test by ordering it online or by calling 119. You do not demand to take a PCR test if you accept already taken an LFD test and the result was positive.
You should stay at habitation while you are waiting for a dwelling house test kit, a examination site appointment or a test result. You can leave your dwelling house in a few specific circumstances, but do not go to work, schoolhouse, or public areas and do not utilise public transport or taxis. See the circumstances in which y'all can leave home.
If you need to go out your home to get to a examination site, wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers, stay at least 2 metres autonomously from other people who you do not live with, and render home immediately afterwards.
5.2 Stay at home and self-isolate
Stay at home and self-isolate if you accept any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or if you lot have a positive LFD or PCR test event. Self-isolation will help protect your family, friends and the wider community by reducing the chance that you will pass the infection on to others.
Your cocky-isolation menstruum starts immediately from when your symptoms started, or, if you do non have any symptoms, from when your positive LFD or PCR exam was taken, whichever test was taken first. Your self-isolation flow includes the mean solar day your symptoms started (or the twenty-four hours your test was taken if you exercise non have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. Information technology may be possible to end your self-isolation earlier (run into below).
This means that if, for case, your symptoms started at whatsoever time on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms but your first positive COVID-19 test was taken on the 15th), your self-isolation menstruum ends at 23:59hrs on the 25th of the calendar month.
You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 total days if your symptoms have gone, or if the only symptoms you lot take are a coughing or anosmia, which can last for several weeks. If you all the same take a loftier temperature subsequently 10 days or are otherwise unwell, stay at habitation and seek medical advice.
You may be able to end your self-isolation period before the end of the ten total days. You tin accept an LFD examination from five days subsequently the mean solar day your symptoms started (or the twenty-four hours your test was taken if you did not have symptoms), and some other LFD exam on the following day. If both these test results are negative, and y'all exercise not have a high temperature, y'all may stop your self-isolation after the second negative examination result.
Report your LFD exam results after taking each test.
Yous should not accept an LFD examination before the fifth day of your cocky-isolation menstruum, and you lot should only end your self-isolation after you accept had 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days. Y'all should stop testing after you accept had ii consecutive negative test results.
This guidance as well applies to children and immature people who usually attend an education or childcare setting.
You volition be unable to use either your domestic or travel NHS COVID Pass for 10 days following a positive examination result.
Examples of when to end self-isolation if you accept had COVID-19 symptoms or accept received a positive COVID-xix test result
This means that if, for example, your symptoms started at whatever fourth dimension on the 15th of the calendar month (or if you did not have symptoms but your showtime positive COVID-xix examination was taken on the 15th), you may have daily LFD tests from the 20th of the month. If your LFD test results are negative on the 20th and 21st, and yous do not have a high temperature, you lot may end your self-isolation period later on the negative examination upshot on the 21st of the month.
If both your LFD test results are negative, it is likely that you were not infectious at the fourth dimension the tests were taken. To further reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others, if y'all end your cocky-isolation period earlier 10 full days you are strongly advised to:
- limit shut contact with other people exterior your household, specially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- work from home if you are able to
- wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in close contact with other people
- limit contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-xix
- follow the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-nineteen
You should follow this communication until 10 full days from when your self-isolation period started.
You lot practise non need to take any more than LFD tests after the 10th day of your self-isolation period and y'all may stop self-isolating later this day. This is because you are unlikely to exist infectious after the 10th day of your cocky-isolation menstruum. Fifty-fifty if you have a positive LFD examination result on the 10th day of your self-isolation flow you do not need to take any more than LFD tests after this day and you lot do not need a follow-up PCR test. If you lot are concerned you may choose to limit close contact with other people, particularly those who are at college risk of severe illness until 14 days afterwards the kickoff of your cocky-isolation period.
There is additional guidance for those working in wellness and social intendance settings.
If y'all are self-isolating because of a positive test result just did not accept any symptoms, and you develop COVID-19 symptoms within your self-isolation period, you do not need to start a new self-isolation period.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at any point after ending your kickoff period of cocky-isolation you and your household should follow the steps in this guidance over again.
Most people with COVID-nineteen will experience a mild affliction. Seek prompt medical attention if your disease or the disease of someone in your household is worsening.
Stay as far abroad from other members of your household equally possible. Wherever possible, avert using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and accept your meals back to your room to consume. Vesture a face covering or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your domicile.
Have practise inside your abode, garden or individual outdoor space. Follow the general advice to reduce the spread of the infection within your household.
Information technology may be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others in their household. Not all these measures will be possible if you are living with children or have caring responsibilities, just follow this guidance to the best of your ability in these circumstances.
If you receive a request by text, electronic mail or phone to log into the NHS Test and Trace service website you should practice this. Yous will exist asked most when your symptoms started. You should provide this information because information technology volition be used to identify who has been in contact with you while you have been infectious.
You will be asked about your recent contacts so that they can be given public wellness communication. They will not be told your identity. It is very important that y'all provide this information, every bit it will play a vital role in helping to protect your family, friends and the wider community.
5.3 Visitors to your household
If y'all have symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive LFD or PCR exam result, practise not invite or allow social visitors to enter your home, including friends and family. If you desire to speak to someone who is not a fellow member of your household, utilize the telephone, email or social media.
If you or a family unit member receive essential care in your home, carers should continue to visit and follow the provision of habitation care guidance to reduce the take chances of infection.
All non-essential in-house services and repairs should be postponed until the self-isolation menstruum is completed. Delivery drivers should not come into your dwelling, and then make sure you lot ask them to leave items outside for drove.
5.four If y'all take a negative COVID-nineteen PCR test result afterwards beingness tested considering you had symptoms of COVID-19
If your PCR exam upshot is negative just you still have symptoms, you may have another viral illness such every bit a cold, flu or a tum problems. Yous should stay at dwelling house until you feel well and for at least 2 more days if you lot have had diarrhoea or airsickness. Seek medical attending if yous are concerned about your symptoms.
You tin stop self-isolating unless y'all have been advised by NHS Test and Trace that you are legally required to self-isolate. Anyone in your household who is self-isolating because of your symptoms can also stop cocky-isolating.
5.five If you take a negative follow-up PCR test upshot subsequently a positive LFD test result
LFD tests are mainly used in people who do not accept symptoms of COVID-19. If you accept an LFD test and the result is positive, you do not need to take a follow-up PCR test, unless you have been advised to for specific reasons.
If you exercise have a follow-upwards PCR test for i of these reasons and the result is negative, you lot are no longer required to self-isolate. While infection rates are high there is still a adventure y'all are infectious, and you are advised to:
- limit shut contact with other people outside your household, peculiarly in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- work from abode if you are able to
- article of clothing a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where yous are in close contact with other people
- limit contact with anyone who is at higher chance of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
- follow the guidance on how to stay safe and assist prevent the spread of COVID-19
You should follow this advice until 10 total days from your positive LFD exam event.
If you develop whatsoever of the main symptoms of COVID-19 you should self-isolate and follow this guidance again.
v.6 Testing subsequently your self-isolation period has ended
If you accept previously had COVID-19, y'all will probably accept developed some immunity to the illness. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone volition develop immunity, or how long information technology will concluding. It is likewise possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after the menstruation of active COVID-19 infection.
If you lot have previously received a positive COVID-nineteen test result, you are advised not to take another PCR examination within ninety days of this result unless:
- you lot develop any new main symptoms of COVID-19
- you are required to take a PCR test for travel into or out of the UK
- yous are advised to take a follow-up PCR test afterwards a positive LFD examination
If yous have a positive PCR test result within 90 days of a previous positive examination effect y'all must stay at home, self-isolate and follow the steps in this guidance over again.
If it is more than 90 days since y'all tested positive by PCR for COVID-19, and yous have new symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive PCR test, follow the steps in this guidance once more.
6. If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-nineteen
Follow divide guidance if yous accept had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 but do not currently live in the same household as them.
Anyone who has whatsoever of the main symptoms of COVID-nineteen should stay at home and, self-isolate immediately. They should club a PCR test unless they have already taken an LFD test and the result was positive.
If you exercise not take symptoms of COVID-19 and live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, y'all are legally required to self-isolate unless you meet whatever of the following atmospheric condition:
- you are fully vaccinated – fully vaccinated means you take had 2 doses of an approved vaccine such as Pfizer BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Spikevax (formerly Moderna); you are also fully vaccinated if yous accept had one dose of the unmarried-dose Janssen vaccine
- yous are aged under 18 years
- you have taken part in or are currently role of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- you are non able to get vaccinated for medical reasons
If yous run into any of these 4 conditions (and are therefore not legally required to self-isolate), follow the guidance further downwardly for contacts who are not legally required to self-isolate.
If you lot are xviii years onetime you will be treated in the same style every bit those under 18 up until the age of xviii years and 6 months, to allow you fourth dimension to get fully vaccinated.
6.1 Household contacts who are required to self-isolate
If you have been notified by NHS Test and Trace because you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, and you are aged over 18 years and not fully vaccinated, you are legally required to self-isolate. This does not apply if you have taken part in or are currently function of an canonical COVID-19 vaccine trial or you are non able to get vaccinated for medical reasons. Do not become to work, school, or public areas and practice not utilise public ship or taxis.
Your self-isolation menses includes the solar day the kickoff person in your household's symptoms started (or the 24-hour interval their exam was taken if they did not accept symptoms) and the next x full days. This means that if, for case, your x day self-isolation period starts on the 15th of the calendar month, your self-isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you tin render to your normal routine.
Yous may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. If you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate, you may besides be entitled to this payment.
Failure to comply with self-isolation may result in a fine, starting from £1,000. Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that anyone under eighteen self-isolates if they test positive for COVID-19 and are contacted past NHS Test and Trace and told to self-isolate.
half dozen.one.ane Take a PCR test
You are brash to accept a single PCR test as soon equally possible while you are self-isolating. Y'all should accept this PCR exam considering you lot are at a higher risk of being infected. The results of the PCR test volition assist NHS Test and Trace contact people who may take caught the virus from you and suggest them on what to do.
If your PCR test issue during your self-isolation period is negative, y'all must continue to self-isolate as y'all could still become infectious and laissez passer the infection on to others. Stay at home for the full ten days to avoid putting others at risk.
If your PCR test event is positive, follow the advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at dwelling house. You lot must starting time a new self-isolation menstruation, regardless of where yous are in your original x day self-isolation period. This means that your full self-isolation catamenia may exist longer than x days.
If you accept previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably take developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot exist guaranteed that anybody will develop immunity, or how long information technology volition last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some fourth dimension after COVID-19 infection.
If you accept previously received a positive COVID-19 test result within the last 90 days and yous are identified every bit a contact of someone with COVID-19 you lot should not accept a PCR examination unless y'all develop any of the main symptoms of COVID-19.
6.ane.2 If you develop symptoms while you are self-isolating equally a contact
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-xix and yous develop whatsoever of the main symptoms of COVID-19 while you are self-isolating, yous should adapt to have a COVID-19 PCR exam. If your test outcome is positive, follow the communication for people with COVID-19 to stay at home. Y'all must start a new cocky-isolation catamenia. This begins when your symptoms started, regardless of where y'all are in your original 10 twenty-four hours self-isolation period. This ways that your total self-isolation period may be longer than 10 days.
If this PCR exam upshot is negative, you must continue to self-isolate every bit yous could withal become infectious and laissez passer the infection on to others. Stay at home for the total 10 days to avoid putting others at risk.
If other household members develop symptoms during this period, you do non demand to isolate for longer than 10 days.
half dozen.2 Household contacts who are not required to self-isolate
If you lot live in the aforementioned household as someone with COVID-19 you are at significantly higher adventure of becoming infected yourself.
If you lot are fully vaccinated or anile under xviii years, and you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, you are non legally required to self-isolate. Y'all are also not legally required to cocky-isolate if y'all have taken part in or are currently role of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial or you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.
COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of yous condign severely ill if you take hold of COVID-nineteen. If you lot are vaccinated against COVID-19 you may still grab it and pass it on to others, fifty-fifty if you lot do non have any symptoms.
LFD tests are very adept at identifying people who accept high levels of coronavirus and are nigh likely to pass on infection to others, even if yous do non have symptoms. You are therefore strongly advised to take daily LFD tests during the period yous are at highest risk of condign infected yourself.
If you are anile 5 years and over and live in the aforementioned household as someone with COVID-19, and are non legally required to self-isolate, you are strongly advised to:
- take an LFD test every day for 7 days, or until 10 days later the household member who has COVID-19 started their self-isolation menses if this is before
- take this daily LFD test before you leave your home for the outset fourth dimension that solar day
- study your LFD test results after taking each test – reporting positive LFD exam results ways that NHS Examination and Trace tin get in touch with your contacts and advise them on what to practise; reporting negative LFD examination results helps us sympathize more about the spread of COVID-19
If you take an LFD test and the result is positive, you should immediately self-isolate to prevent y'all from passing the infection on to other people and follow the advice for people who have COVID-19. You do not need to take a follow-up PCR examination unless y'all accept been advised to for specific reasons.
If your daily LFD examination issue is negative, it is likely that yous were non infectious at the time the exam was taken. To further reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others, you are strongly brash to:
- limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- piece of work from dwelling if you are able to
- wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in shut contact with other people
- limit contact with anyone who is at higher run a risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
- follow the guidance on how to stay safe and assistance prevent the spread of COVID-19
If you are unable to accept a daily LFD test then you are still strongly advised to follow this advice to reduce the gamble of passing COVID-nineteen on to others.
Follow this advice until the household member who has COVID-xix reaches the end of their self-isolation menstruation.
If you are a health or social intendance worker who has been identified every bit a household contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the take chances of spread of COVID-nineteen in these settings.
Children and young people anile nether 18 years who unremarkably attend an educational activity or childcare setting and who have been identified as a close contact should continue to attend the setting as normal.
Regular LFD tests are not recommended for children aged under 5. If they live with someone who has COVID-xix they are non legally required to self-isolate but you should limit their contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-nineteen and arrange for them to have a PCR test equally shortly as possible.
If you develop symptoms at any time, even if these are mild, stay at home and self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR test and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.
7. Reducing the spread of COVID-xix in your household
7.1 How COVID-19 is spread
COVID-xix spreads from person to person through small-scale droplets, aerosols and through directly contact. Surfaces and property can also exist contaminated with COVID-19 when people with the infection coughing or sneeze or touch them. The risk of spread is greatest when people are close to each other, specially in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when people spend a lot of time together in the aforementioned room.
Keeping your distance, washing your hands and good respiratory hygiene (using and disposing of tissues), cleaning surfaces and keeping indoor spaces well ventilated are the nearly important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
People who have COVID-19 can infect others from around 2 days earlier symptoms start, and for upward to 10 days after. They can pass the infection to others, even if they have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, which is why they must stay at home.
People who live in the same household as someone with COVID-nineteen are at higher take a chance of developing COVID-xix. They could spread the illness to others even when feeling well.
7.2 How to limit close contact with others in the household if you take COVID-19
Spend equally little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such equally kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing.
Ask the people you alive with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and past giving you space.
Use a separate bath from the balance of the household where possible. If a separate bathroom is non bachelor, try and use the facilities last, before cleaning the bathroom using your usual cleaning products. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly.
You should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Keep your room well-ventilated past opening a window to the outside.
Use a well-fitting confront covering made with multiple layers, or a surgical mask when spending fourth dimension in shared areas inside your dwelling to minimise the risk of spread to others. Used correctly, they may help to protect others by reducing the transmission of COVID-xix only they do not replace the need to limit your contact with other household members.
Post-obit expert clinical advice and the successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, people previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable are no longer existence advised to shield. Some people are still at college chance of astringent affliction if infected with COVID-xix and may have been advised past their health professional to consider taking additional precautions. If someone in the household has been advised to take such precautions, such every bit maintaining distance from others, they should be supported to do so.
7.three Things yous can practise to reduce the spread of COVID-nineteen in your household
GermDefence is a website that can assistance you identify ways to protect yourself and others in your household from COVID-19. Information technology provides scientifically proven communication on reducing the risks from COVID-19 and other viruses in your home.
GermDefence is easy to employ and only takes 10 minutes to identify actions and make a programme on how to protect yourself. GermDefence is also bachelor in a range of unlike languages.
Everyone should also have the following steps to reduce the spread of infection within their household. Please also refer to the accompanying illustrated guide to reducing household manual.
7.3.one Wash your easily
This is an important way to reduce the risk of catching COVID-xix or passing it on to others. Wash your hands with lather and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser, particularly afterwards cough, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you consume or handle food. Clean your hands oftentimes and avert touching your face up.
7.3.2 Cover coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you lot exercise not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand.
Dispose of tissues into a rubbish handbag and immediately wash your easily. If y'all accept a carer, they should use dispensable tissues to wipe away any fungus or phlegm after you accept sneezed or coughed and then launder or sanitise their easily.
7.3.3 Clean your dwelling to reduce spread of infection
Regularly clean ofttimes touched surfaces, such equally door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Employ standard household cleaning products like detergents and bleach to clean your home as these are very constructive at getting rid of the virus on surfaces. Clean shared bathrooms each time they are used, especially the surfaces you have touched, using your usual bathroom cleaning products.
Cleaning cloths and personal waste such as used tissues and dispensable face coverings should be stored in disposable rubbish bags. These numberless should be placed into another bag, tied deeply and put bated for at to the lowest degree 72 hours earlier beingness put in your usual external household waste bin. Other household waste product can be disposed of as normal.
Use a dishwasher to clean and dry your crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, launder them by manus using washing upwardly liquid and warm water and dry thoroughly using a divide tea towel.
7.3.four Laundry
To reduce the possibility of spreading the virus through the air, exercise not shake muddied laundry. Wash items in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. All dirty laundry can be washed in the same load. If yous do not have a washing machine, wait a further 72 hours after your self-isolation has concluded when you can and then take the laundry to a public launderette.
Do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels.
seven.3.v Ventilate indoor areas
If someone is self-isolating, keep a window slightly open in their room and keep the door closed to reduce the spread of contaminated air to other parts of the household. If the person that is self-isolating needs to employ whatsoever shared space in the home, such as the kitchen or other living areas while others are present, go along these spaces well ventilated, for instance by opening windows while the person who is self-isolating is in the shared space, and for a short period afterward they have left.
Leave extractor fans (for example in bathrooms) running for longer than usual with the door closed afterward use.
vii.4 Caring for pets
COVID-19 in the UK is spread between humans. There is limited evidence that some animals, including pets, tin become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) post-obit close contact with infected humans.
Pet owners who have COVID-nineteen or who are self-isolating with symptoms should restrict contact with pets and wash their hands thoroughly earlier and afterwards interacting with their pet.
8. Looking after your wellness and wellbeing
eight.1 Looking after your mental and physical wellbeing while staying at abode
Staying at home and self-isolating for a prolonged menstruum can exist difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and you or other household members may feel low. It can be specially challenging if yous do not accept much space or admission to a garden.
Call up to take care of your listen as well as your body and get support if you need information technology.
Every Listen Matters provides simple tips and advice to take meliorate care of your mental health, including a COVID-19 hub with advice for those staying at home.
Many people find it helpful to remind themselves why what they are doing is so of import. By staying at home, you are helping to protect your friends and family unit, other people in your community and the NHS.
Things that yous can do to help brand staying at home easier:
- continue in touch with friends and family over the phone or through social media
- call up that physical exercise can be good for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that tin assist you lot take light exercise in your home
- plan ahead and think about what you lot will need to exist able to stay at habitation for the full duration
- ask your employer, friends and family for help to admission the things you will demand while staying at domicile
- call up most and programme how you can get nutrient and other supplies, such as medication, that you volition need during this menses
- cheque if your neighbourhood or local community has a volunteer system that could help bring you supplies or provide other back up
- enquire friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online or by phone, making certain these are left exterior your dwelling house for yous to collect
- think about things you can do during your time at domicile such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
- many people detect it helpful to programme out the full x days. You may also notice it helpful to programme in advance what you volition do if, for instance, someone in your household were to feel much worse
If you need help for a mental wellness crisis, emergency or breakdown, seek immediate communication and cess. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent mental wellness back up is available to adults and children around the clock. Observe your local NHS helpline by searching for your postcode or domicile town in a new service finder.
eight.2 If you need medical advice
Health and care services remain open to help people with all wellness conditions, including COVID-xix. Virtually people with COVID-xix will experience a mild affliction which can be managed at home. Discover out more near managing the symptoms of COVID-nineteen at home.
All routine medical and dental appointments should exist cancelled while y'all are staying at home. If you lot are concerned or take been asked to attend in person during this time, discuss this with your medical contact showtime (for instance, your GP or dentist, local hospital or outpatient service).
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness or the illness of someone in your household is worsening. If it is not an emergency, contact the NHS 111 online COVID-19 service or NHS 111 for other wellness conditions. If yous have no internet access, call NHS 111.
If it is a medical emergency and yous need to phone call an ambulance, dial 999. Inform the call handler or operator that y'all or someone in your household has COVID-19 or symptoms if that is the case.
9. Financial or other applied back up
9.one Financial support
Self-isolation is i of the almost of import things we tin can do to assistance stop the spread of the virus and protect our friends and family, our customs and the NHS. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have received a positive test result, or have been told you are a contact with someone who has, cocky-isolation is the only way to guarantee you won't pass COVID-19 to others. If you are told to cocky-isolate, you lot should exercise so straight abroad Notice out what support you can become if yous're affected by COVID-xix.
If yous can, inquire friends, family or neighbours to go out and get nutrient and other essentials for you. If you do not take others to assistance you lot, at that place may be charities or community groups who can help in your area or your local shops, markets and wholesalers may offer a commitment service (by phone or by email).
The NHS Volunteer Responders plan is nevertheless bachelor to aid back up those who need it. Volunteers tin collect and deliver shopping, medication and other essential supplies and can likewise provide a regular friendly call. Telephone call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week to self-refer or visit NHS Volunteer Responders for further information. There may also be other voluntary or community services in your local surface area that you tin can access for support.
If you are unable to piece of work due to COVID-19, see guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions to detect out about support available to y'all. You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate. If you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate, you may as well be entitled to this support payment. You can employ for the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment online or through the NHS COVID-19 app.
You volition be eligible for this payment if you lot alive in England and y'all have had a positive assisted LFD or PCR exam consequence, NHS Test and Trace has told you to self-isolate, or the NHS COVID-nineteen app has advised you to self-isolate.
You will also be required to meet all the following criteria:
- y'all are employed or self-employed
- you cannot work from home and volition lose income as a upshot
- you are claiming at least one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Revenue enhancement Credits
- income-related Employment and Support Assart
- income-based Jobseeker'due south Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit or Housing Benefit
Visit your local authorization's website for more information on the help and support that is available to you lot.
9.2 Additional support for those who lead a nomadic mode of life
People who live on a traveller site, in a vehicle or on a canal boat may require additional back up.
Let your site managing director or local Gypsy and Traveller liaison squad know if you lot need further support. If you are living on a river or canal, discover out what advice is existence offered by the organisation who manages the waterway y'all live on, as this varies for each ane. Try to communicate by phone as much as possible to prevent spreading the virus to further contacts.
If you lack admission to basic facilities such as water, sanitation and waste disposal to assist with cocky-isolation, contact your local authority for aid. They may be able to provide you with boosted facilities or brand alternative stopping places bachelor.
The prevailing laws against unauthorised encampments or unauthorised development remain in place.
Waste matter should continue to be disposed of through authorised and legal ways. Guidance for local authorities on re-opening or keeping household waste and recycling centres open is available. If you need further communication, contact your local dominance.
If yous are stopping or cruising in rural or isolated areas, take note of your location if y'all moor or pull upwardly, specially if you are feeling unwell. Y'all can also use the what3words app if at that place is a medical emergency and you demand services to come up to you.
9.3 If you are breastfeeding
If y'all accept symptoms of COVID-19, accept tested positive or are living in a household with someone who has COVID-19, you may exist concerned about the infection spreading to your baby if you are breastfeeding.
The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh whatever potential risks of transmission of the virus through breast milk or by being in close contact, however, this will exist an individual decision. Talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP by phone.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through breast milk. Notwithstanding, COVID-19 infection can exist passed on to a baby in the aforementioned style as it tin to anyone in shut contact with you. The electric current show is that children with COVID-19 get much less astringent symptoms than adults. If you or a family fellow member are feeding with formula or expressed milk, sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should non share bottles or a breast pump with someone else.
9.4 People with learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses
Not all these measures will be possible if y'all, or those you live with, take conditions such equally learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses. Follow this guidance to the best of your power, while keeping yourself and those shut to you condom and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans.
An piece of cake read version of this guidance is likewise available.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
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