BASIC ADVICE

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. Here are some tips for you to help keep yourself safe...

Wash your hands often

The NHS advice that you wash your hands with soap and water often and to do this for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands with soap and hot water or you can use a hand sanitiser gel. You should wash your hands when you get home or into work.

Catch it, Bin it, Kill it

Use a tissue when you sneeze and cough. If you don’t have a tissue use your sleeve. Germs can spread easily, especially when you sneeze. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

Avoid contact with your face

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay out of close contact with those who are unwell

You should avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell. Most people can continue to go work, school and other public places.

How to tell the difference between coronavirus and common cold

What are the symptoms?

Fever and tiredness are among some of the symptoms associated with coronavirus. Breathing difficulties, muscle pains and a cough are also symptoms. However, even if you do have these it may not mean that you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as a cold or flu.

What to do if you’re not feeling well

If you are feeling unwell, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you are in the UK to speak to an NHS advisor. Following this, you may be asked to stay home, or you may be tested for the virus at hospital, at a drive-thru testing point or even in your home.

Check if you need medical help

The NHS has a phoneline you can ring where you can get advice about what to do. You should do this if you think you may have the virus, or you have been to a country with a high risk of coronavirus, in the last 14 days.

How to self-isolate if you’re asked to

If there’s a chance you may have coronavirus, it’s important that you stay away from people and self isolate. It’s important to follow this advice to ensure any potential virus doesn’t spread. It means you should:

Stay at home

Not go to work, school or public places Don’t use public transport or taxis Ask friends, family members, or delivery services to run any errands for you. The NHS say it’s ok for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food

You may need to do this for up to 14 days.

Visting a pharmacy

Cardiff businessman Raj Aggarwal, a pharmacist and public health expert, said: “It might be busier than usual, as more people drop in for advice about how to reduce their risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Please be patient with our pharmacists and staff who work very hard to give a prompt, professional service.

“If you call in to ask about reducing your risk of getting coronavirus, pharmacists will be able to give you clear advice about handwashing and other preventative measures. However if you suspect you may be infected it is important that you do not enter the pharmacy.

““Currently there is no specific medicine or vaccine to prevent or treat coronavirus and antibiotics will not help as they only work against bacteria and not viruses.”

And face masks? He added: “Some pharmacies also sell face masks, but it’s really important to understand that regular handwashing is a more effective preventative measure than masks.

“Healthy people are generally not recommended to wear face masks.”