News & Information Page 1

NEWS & INFORMATION

Coronavirus

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT ADVICE: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

What to do if You get the Virus - A Nurse’s Advice

There are a lot of recommendations regarding how to avoid getting coronavirus in the first place - good hand washing, personal hygiene, social distancing etc. - but not a lot of advice what to do if you actually get it, which many of us will. So as your friendly Neighbourhood Nurse let me make some suggestions: You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it might come your way! Things you should actually buy ahead of time: (not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is). Kleenex, Paracetamol, your generic choice of a mucus-thinning cough medicine - check the label and make sure you are not doubling-up on Paracetamol. (honey and lemon can work just as well)! Vick vapour rub for your chest is also a great suggestion. If you don’t have a humidifier that would be a good thing to buy and use in your room overnight. (you can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam). If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn’t expired and refill it/get a new one if necessary. This is also a good time to meal prep. Make a big batch of your favourite soup to freeze and have on hand. Stock up on whatever your favourite clear fluids are to drink – though tap water is fine you may appreciate some variety! Hydrate (drink!) hydrate, hydrate! Rest Lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better you may still be infectious for 14 days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided! Ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact. You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO HOSPITAL unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 39 degrees) and unmanaged with medication. 90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest, hydration and over- the-counter medicines. If you are worried or in distress or feel your symptoms are getting worse ring 111 and they will advise if you need to go to hospital. The hospital beds will be used for people who actively need oxygen/breathing treatments/IV fluids. If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosupressants, now is a great time to talk to your doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick. One major relief to you parents is that children cope very well with coronavirus – they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious), just use paediatric dosing. Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine. Share this as its great advice!’

Revised Train Timetables

SWR will reduce the number of services it will be running from Monday 23 March, following the Government’s announcement urging people to avoid all but essential travel in order to help limit the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus. The spread of the COVID-19 means like at most other organisations, more of our staff are having to follow advice to stay at home unwell and self-isolate for up to 14 days. By reducing the number of trains running, we can focus on ensuring a reliable timetable for passengers who still have to travel, especially healthcare professionals, police and fire service workers. We are asking all passengers to follow the Government’s advice to avoid all but essential travel. But those passengers who do have to use our services should check before they travel. Our colleagues on the front line are working very hard to ensure that those who need to travel get to where they need to be, when they need to be there, and the rest of the business is focusing on supporting them. For more information please visit: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/coronavirus-temporary-timetable

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Portesham Surgery Information

The latest advice from Portesham Surgery can be read HERE Please note - the White Horse will be open from 09.30 until 11.00 on Saturdays for the collection of medication.

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Test and Trace Scheme

Lucy Mears, Communications Officer, Public Health Dorset, has issued the following communication on NHS “Test and Trace” to encourage people to use the service, comply with stay at home guidance if they are identified as a contact, and be aware of potential scams. What to do if you have symptoms Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus - a new continuous cough OR a high fever OR a loss or change of taste or smell - should self-isolate immediately and not leave home. Other members of your household must also self-isolate. You should ask for a test as soon as you have any of these symptoms. You can ask for a test online or call 119 if you have no internet access. The NHS test and trace service: • ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus • helps trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus How NHS Test and Trace will contact you If you’re identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, NHS Test and Trace will contact you by email, text or phone. Text messages will come from the NHS. Calls will come from 0300 0135000. Children under 18 will be contacted by phone wherever possible and asked for their parent or guardian's permission to continue the call. You'll be asked to sign in to the NHS Test and Trace contact tracing website at https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk. If you cannot use the contact tracing website, they will call you. Be aware of scams The NHS Test and Trace service will not: • ask for bank details or payments • ask for details of any other accounts, such as social media • ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone • ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087 Kind regards, Naomi Mason /Health Programme Advisor (part-time) 01305 225287 / 07776 596701

COVID-19 Related Scams- Message from Action Fraud UK

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Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million. How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do: 1 - Watch out for scam messages Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk 2 - Shopping online If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection. 3 - Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password. NHS Test and Trace scams: The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams. What you need to know: Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service. All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message. The NHS Test and Trace service will never: ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087) ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind ask for any details about your bank account ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Message Sent By Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)