Coronavirus help guide
Below we have provided credible sources from the NHS on how to protect yourself and your family in the current Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak.
How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus, click each tab for more information.
The Dos and Don'ts
DO
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- 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 and wash your hands afterwards
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
- only travel on public transport if you need to
- work from home, if you can
- avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- avoid events with large groups of people
DON'T
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
Everything you need to know about RT-PCR Covid-19 testing
Even though Covid-19 testing has become a familiar part of life for many of us over the past year, there’s still a lot which is often misunderstood about the different types of test on offer and how they work.
Not all Covid-19 tests are equal. Even the commonly recognised PCR test, which is used by the NHS, has a range of testing method variations used in laboratories.
So, what are the differences, why do scientists favour PCR testing and how do the tests actually work?
We’ve gathered some of the key questions, and answers, to help explain the process of Covid-19 testing in more detail.
Travel and Covid-19 testing. What the future holds
With the vaccine roll out gathering pace and infections falling in response to the latest lockdown measures, many of us are feeling optimistic enough to start tentatively considering travel plans for later in the year.
But, despite the progress being made to distribute vaccines across the population, chief medical officers are still urging caution, warning that it’s likely that restrictions will remain for some time.
Reducing your Covid-19 self-isolation period with Test to Release
The current government guidelines around travel to the UK from abroad state that you must self-isolate for ten days when you return.
However, you may be able to reduce the time that you need to self-isolate for after travelling if you have a negative Covid-19 test.
What is the Covid-19 ‘Test to Release’ scheme for international travel?
Currently, anyone who arrives in England from outside the UK or Ireland must self-isolate for 10 days.
The Test to Release scheme allows you to reduce the time you must self-isolate for by providing a negative Covid-19 test.
How do I order a Covid-19 Swab Test?
For those that have not used home collection kits before the process can seem a little daunting, but 95% of our customers find collecting a viable swab sample straight forward, although the antibody vacutainer kit comes with the option of assistance from a nurse..
- Order your Coronavirus test kits online, they are dispatched same day (if before 3pm, Monday to Friday)
- Due to previous delivery issues we are now sending both the PCR swab kit and Antibody test kit ourselves, using the Royal Mail Next Day guaranteed by 1pm service, where a tracking number is provided. The service (in these pandemic times) plans to deliver by 4pm, although we sometimes are able to offer a next day by 9am service (which aims to deliver your private covid test by 11am).
- Take a sample by following the instructions
- Post back in the provided return envelope using a tracked24 return label if you have one with the test you buy or by arranging your own courier service, which ever option suits your needs the best.
- When the laboratory receive the sample, they will start testing straight away, results will be issued within 1-2 working days of laboratory receipt for the Antibody test, and on the next working day for the Covid PCR Swab test.
Covid-19 Instructional Video
If you are unsure as to how to take a self covid test, please take a few minutes to watch this instructional video that covers both the sample taking process, and also administration such as registering the kit online and packing the kit properly.
Government & NHS websites
All information has been collected and sourced from the NHS website.
Please read more here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
For more information on Coronavirus and pregnancy please see here:
If you're pregnant and worried about coronavirus, you can get advice about coronavirus and pregnancy from the Royal College of Obstretricians and Gynaecologists. https://www.rcog.org.uk/