As is being widely reported in the media, confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus continue to spread around the world. As of 25th February, a total of 6,795 people have been tested in the UK, of which 6,782 were confirmed negative and thirteen positive. These figures now include the four cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked in Japan. This is a rapidly changing situation, regularly updated information and advice can be found at the following links:
- gov.uk information - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
- NHS information - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- PHE information - https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
Travel Advice
The UK Chief Medical Officer is advising anyone who has:
- Travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last fourteen days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.
- Returned from these specific areas since 19th February, you should call NHS 111 and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:
- Iran
- Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy as designated by the Italian Government
- Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the South Korean Government
- Hubei province in China (returned in the past fourteen days)
- Returned from these areas since 19th February and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS 111. You do not need to follow this advice if you have no symptoms.
- Northern Italy (defined by a line above, and not including, Pisa, Florence and Rimini),
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Burma
Health Advice
There are simple things you can do to help avoid catching or spreading germs and stop viruses like coronavirus from spreading.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin immediately
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
What are we doing?
- Councillors are receiving regular updates from the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Team at Basildon Council, who are in daily contact with Public Heath England and the Essex Resilience Forum.
- The Emergency Planning and Business Continuity and Environmental Health Teams are both engaging with weekly scenario-based teleconferences run by Public Heath England and the Essex Resilience Forum.
- The Council has Business Continuity Plans in place to cover any potential loss of staff.
- Updates will be periodically produced as the situation and advice develops and Conservative councillors will share these as and when they become available.