COVID-19
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Explained
5 frequently asked questions
1
What is it?
Coronavirus is an illness that affects people’s breathing and lungs. It can be spread from person to person by coughing or by touching surfaces or areas of skin that have been contaminated by the virus.
2
Where and When did it originate?
Covid-19 is also a virus that first started in Wuhan, China during the latter stages of 2019. This became progressively worse as the impact of this highly infectious disease spread around the world killing thousands of people and destabilising the world’s economies. To date it has claimed over 900,000 deaths globally including 40,000+ in the U.K. What is coronavirus, how did it start and how big could it get? COVID-19 pandemic.
3
What does this mean for me locally?
In Knowsley, despite some fluctuation of lockdown rules, residents are advised to continue to stay and work from home wherever possible, particularly those who are most vulnerable. You can continue to go to school, youth clubs, sports clubs as normal, as you will be protected in bubbles. You can also form a support bubble with another household. A support bubble is where a household with one adult joins with another household on an exclusive basis. You can visit each other, stay overnight and visit public places together.
Find out more about this here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-england-local-restrictions
During the local lockdown, there are also curfews (restricted opening times) on hospitality businesses like pubs, restaurants and cinemas. These businesses must close from 10pm to 5am. You can still visit these places but you should follow the social distance measures (see what should we do?)
Find out more about this here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-england-local-restrictions
During the local lockdown, there are also curfews (restricted opening times) on hospitality businesses like pubs, restaurants and cinemas. These businesses must close from 10pm to 5am. You can still visit these places but you should follow the social distance measures (see what should we do?)
4
What should we do?
- Maintain 2 metres apart or 1 metre when wearing a mask and taking extra precautions.
- Follow good hand washing practice - check out this video from the World Health Organisation for tips on effective handwashing. WHO: How to handwash? Withsoap and water
- Wear your mask when outside of your home. You will need this on all public transport and all shops, restaurants and cinemas.
- Get tested - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/
5
Why are we back in lockdown?
This is because our infection and death rates are higher than in other parts of the
country, this is measured by the R rate - and across Merseyside, collectively ours is
above 1. You can find out more about the infection rate in your area by downloading the
NHS Covid-19 app here: NHS COVID-19.
There are lots of things you can do to protect yourself and your friends and family.
country, this is measured by the R rate - and across Merseyside, collectively ours is
above 1. You can find out more about the infection rate in your area by downloading the
NHS Covid-19 app here: NHS COVID-19.
There are lots of things you can do to protect yourself and your friends and family.
- Staying at home will help to stop the spread of the virus
- If you are self-isolating and need support, all local authority areas have volunteer helpline, in Knowsley this is; https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/community-hub
Useful Links
Helpful advice
1
Stopping the spread
Wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds.
Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces.
Make space. Stay at least 1m away from anyone who you do not live with.
Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces.
Make space. Stay at least 1m away from anyone who you do not live with.
2
What are the Symptoms?
A high temperature
This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
A continuous cough
This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
A loss of smell or taste
This means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
A continuous cough
This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
A loss of smell or taste
This means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
3
If you get any symptoms
If you do get any symptoms of Covid-19 (high temperature, loss of smell or taste,
persistent cough) you should;
Self-isolate immediately, not leaving your home for any reason other than to get a test
Ensure you book a test if you do display symptoms via the NHS/Government website:you can find the local Knowsley test centres here:
View test centres >
Get a free NHS test today
View Website >
persistent cough) you should;
Self-isolate immediately, not leaving your home for any reason other than to get a test
Ensure you book a test if you do display symptoms via the NHS/Government website:you can find the local Knowsley test centres here:
View test centres >
Get a free NHS test today
View Website >
COVID-19 MYTHS
There are so many myths and rumours about COVID-19, we're here to dispel these myths and get to the truth!
Check out some of the most common Myths that we hear from young people - and what the actual TRUTH is...
Check out some of the most common Myths that we hear from young people - and what the actual TRUTH is...
Coronavirus is no more dangerous than the seasonal flu
Whilst most coronavirus cases will be mild and patients will exhibit nothing more than seasonal flu symptoms, the respiratory disease has a higher mortality rate and is far more serious at 1% fatality rate, COVID-19 is about 10 times deadlier than the seasonal flu.
Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C and 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
COVID-19 can be transmitted through houseflies
To date, there is no evidence or information to suggest that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through houseflies. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads primarlity through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezews oir speaks. You can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands. To protect yourself, keep at least 1 metre distance from others and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Clean your hands thoroughly and often and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
Alcohol can protect you against COVID-19
Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous. Alcohol increases your risk of health problems.