This week the country has been focused on the proliferation of a new coronavirus which causes an illness officially known as COVID-19 that has caused the World Health Organisation to declare a global health emergency. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that directly affect animals, but some, including the new virus, have been transmitted to humans.
On Tuesday following an emergency meeting of the COBRA committee, the UK government launched a national action plan setting out how ministers will take steps to confront the virus. As part of the action plan, every government department will have a designated minister who will oversee their department’s role to the virus and a special unit will be established to bring together communications experts and scientists to roll out a public information campaign to ensure that we are all kept well informed.
Fortunately, we are well prepared for the virus. The UK is a world leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks such as this. However, while the government and NHS are working around the clock, everyone has a part to play in tackling COVID-19 and that includes us here in Lincolnshire.
The number one way in which we can play our part is to ensure that we wash our hands regularly, especially when you get to work or arrive home, after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze and before you eat or handle food. You should wash your hands for twenty seconds or more, in warm water using soap. If you do cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue and bin it.
As official NHS guidance states, the symptoms of coronavirus are a cough, a high temperature or a shortness of breath but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness as these are very similar to more common illnesses such as cold or flu. If you do think that you might have coronavirus use the NHS 111 service to find out what to do.
Britain is at its best when we come together to tackle a common problem, so let’s do our bit and wash our hands of this awful coronavirus.
For the latest advice and information on coronavirus visit www.gov.uk