Coronavirus Update

Our building is currently open with a very limited capacity and visitors will have to make an appointment in advance. Many of our services are still running remotely. 

We have limited places on MHFA training courses in addition to a catalogue of online training resources, including some bite-size workshops you can take part in.

Our Emergency Response Group, chaired by Lynette Charles CEO, has met over recent days to form our response. We have developed a detailed Coronavirus Plan that we will keep under review.

What is coronavirus? 

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020. 
The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 to 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19: 

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• fever

Generally, these infections 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.

If you are worried about symptoms,  

please call NHS 111 or go to the NHS 111 coronavirus advice website.  
Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.  
The latest advice and developments on the covid-19 situation can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Preventing the spread of infection: 

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. 
Public Health England (PHE) recommends that the following general cold and flu precautions are taken to help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19:

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
• put used tissues in the bin straight away
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available. See hand washing guidance
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Author: Camilla Bonnar
Posted on: 1st June 2020