In light of the recent worldwide outbreak of coronavirus (officially named COVID-19), the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it “a public health emergency of international concern”, and urged governments to step up their efforts and “intensify our preparedness”.
The Government has allocated £40 million to address the implications of the outbreak in the UK and hospitals have been ordered to take new measures.
At Sharob Care we pride ourselves on being a responsible employer and our Residents care is absolutely paramount to us.
We've prepared the following FAQs to support anyone wishing to learn more about how they can protect themselves, and people in their care, from catching or spreading the virus.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of the symptoms of coronavirus in humans?
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar those of regular flu. This includes a fever, cough or difficulty breathing. In fact, the current evidence is that most cases are mild and that the usual winter flu remains more of a threat than coronavirus. Coronavirus is likely to cause more severe symptoms in older people or those with underlying medical conditions, such as weakened immune systems, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. In some severe cases, the coronavirus may progress to pneumonia, causing shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. The infection can also cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and can ultimately lead to the loss of life.
So far, the evidence indicates that those who have died have had pre-existing health conditions.
What are the health recommendations for coronaviruses?
Current medical advice to prevent the spread of infection from coronaviruses includes:
- Avoiding close contact with people who are exhibiting potential symptoms, such as coughs and sneezes
- Covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and, if possible, using a tissue to do so, and disposing of it immediately
- Avoiding touching the mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces frequently. Use alcohol spray and hand gel
- Stay at home immediately and call 111 for advice should you come into contact with the virus or suspect that you have symptoms
- No handshakes, hugging or kissing at work
- Only use personal cutlery and crockery
- Regular, thorough hand washing, using soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
This NHS video explains the technique in full.
The government's latest advice for workers in the health and social care industries, focusing on community care and residential settings, can be found below:
Should people wear facemasks?
During normal day-to-day activities, face masks do not provide protection from respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and do not need to be worn by staff in any of these settings. Facemasks are only recommended to be worn by infected individuals when advised by a healthcare worker, to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to other people.
Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?
Not currently. However, researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against the specific strain in question (2019-nCoV) at the time of writing, and the WHO is supporting their efforts.
Is it safe to receive a letter or package from China?
Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, health experts know that coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.
What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms?
We have advised our staff that, if they develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath, and have recently returned from mainland China, any Italian town under containment measures, Iran, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia or Macau, or have had contact with someone who has, they should not:
✖ Go into work,
✖ Go to their doctors’ surgery
✖ Leave their home
✓ Call NHS 111 immediately
✓ Inform Sharob Care of the advice given
For a full, regularly updated list of the latest high-risk countries, please check this dedicated page on the government's site. Due to increased amount of 111 calls, the NHS have expanded their offering to a new 111 online service.
You can access this below for further information on where to go to get help, if needed.
For more information follow The Government’s regularly updated portal on