As the Coronavirus situation looks set to intensify in the weeks ahead I would like to remind people of the actions they can take to help manage public health. Good hygiene, hand washing and following government advice will ensure this virus is dealt with in the shortest time possible.
Everyone can help support the UK’s response by:
- following public health authorities’ advice, for example on hand washing; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- reducing the impact and spread of misinformation by relying on information from trusted sources, such as that on www.nhs.uk, www.nhsinform.scot, www.publichealth.hscni.net, https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19 and www.gov.uk
- checking and following the latest FCO travel advice when travelling and planning to travel
- ensuring you and your family’s vaccinations are up to date as this will help reduce the pressure on the NHS/HSCNI through reducing vaccine-preventable diseases
- checking on elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours
- using NHS 111 (or NHS 24 in Scotland or NHS Direct Wales) (including online, where possible), pharmacies and GPs responsibly, and go to the hospital only when you really need to. This is further explained on the NHS website: When to go to A&E and Choose Well Wales
- being understanding of the pressures the health and social care systems may be under, and receptive to changes that may be needed to the provision of care to you and your family.
- accepting that the advice for managing COVID-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over-the-counter medicines
- checking for new advice as the situation changes