TO ALL STAFF
As you will all be aware, the Coronavirus Outbreak has been confirmed with the UK and the following information has been issued from the UK Government.
Please make sure you read the details of this email and keep yourself up to date with any further changes, which will inevitably happen over the coming weeks.
COVID -19 can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Typical symptoms include fever and a cough that may progress to 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.
The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:
- cough
- difficulty in breathing
- fever
From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres or less) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.
There are 2 main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:
- infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) or possibly could be inhaled into the lungs.
- it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face)
PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INFECTION
- 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 straight away
- 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
- clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
If you are worried about symptoms, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.
If you are booked for shifts through ANA and are showing any of the above symptoms, please contact the office as soon as possible.
Lastly, if you have been travelling abroad, recently, to any of the following countries, please make sure you SELF ISOLATE for 14 days on your return, EVEN IF YOU ARE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS.
- ITALY
- IRAN
- DAEGU OR CHEONGDO (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)
- WUHAN AND HUBEI PROVINCE (CHINA)
This means you will be unavailable for work with the agency. Please make us aware of this.
