Coronavirus - Advice for Patients

The latest advice for the general public and travellers returning from China and other specified areas can be found on the NHS website - click here.  

You can also read updates on the Government website - click here. 

Information about Coronavirus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Advice for the General Population

The Government and NHS are well prepared to deal with this virus. Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus. 

You can help too. There are things you can do to stop germs like coronavirus spreading: 

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
• Bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash your hands with soap and water, 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.
• If you have arrived back from China or specified areas in the last 14 days, follow the advice for returning travellers below.

This is the best way to slow the spread of almost any germs, including Coronavirus.

Find out more here. 

Advice for travellers returning from China and specified areas

Travellers returning from Wuhan and Hubei Province, China 

If you have returned from Wuhan or Hubei Province in the last 14 days:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people
• call NHS 111 to tell them of your recent travel to the city

Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.

If you get a cough, a high temperature, or you feel short of breath, continue to follow this advice. Do not leave your house.

Travellers returning from other parts of China and specified areas

If you get a cough, high temperature or feel short of breath within 14 days of returning from:

• other parts of China, including Macao and Hong Kong
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia

You should:

• stay indoors and avoid contact with other people
• call NHS 111 to tell them of your recent travel

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. Tell 111 about any recent travel and any symptoms you have.

Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are mild.

Transport

Do not use public transport or taxis until 14 days after your return from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China or specified areas if you have symptoms).

Getting Food and Medicine

Stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China or specified areas if you have symptoms), and avoid public places. Ask a friend, family member or delivery services to carry out errands on your behalf.

What does the above mean in practice?

This means staying at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan or Hubei Province (or other parts of China or specified areas if you have symptoms) and not going to work, school or public areas. Try to avoid having visitors to your home, but it's OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.

While the risk to the UK population remains low, these steps are recommended to limit the potential spread of infection.