Health advice
Overview
The Council is working closely with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the NHS and other key partners and we are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. We are working together to ensure we protect the public and the most vulnerable people in the borough. The Council is following Government guidelines on coronavirus (COVID-19) with key messages and guidance:
Keeping COVID-safe
- Keep up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations – it’s shown to be safe and effective against the virus, including new variants, and is the best way to keep yourself from getting seriously ill. It also reduces the chance of you passing the virus on to someone else.
- Socialise outdoors rather than indoors where possible
- Regularly ventilate your home particularly when you have visitors.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser, regularly throughout the day.
- Continue wearing face coverings in crowded indoor areas, like shops or on public transport.
- If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people, until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you no longer feel unwell
If you have Coronavirus symptoms
Try to stay at home to protect others if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness like COVID-19 and have a high temperature or if you do not feel well enough to work or carry out normal activities.
If you have a positive COVID-19 test result, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test.
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.
If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day they took the test, if they can. After three days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. More advice is available, including what to do if you do have to leave your home and what to do to reduce spreading infection to other members of your household.
NHS 111 online
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after seven days
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
Local support while you are staying at home
What can I do at home?
Here are some things you might like to check out to keep you occupied while you look after yourself at home.
Keep active
If your symptoms are mild you might want to find ways to keep active, including exercising in your garden or indoors. Try an online workout from Brio Leisure.
Libraries
Visit anywhere you like in the pages of a good book. Library members can access books, magazines and newspapers online for free - and a library card is free too.
Culture from home
Do you want to delve into the archives, discover a new talent by joining in with craft, dance or drama activities, watch films, expand your mind or travel the world (virtually)? Our Arts service has collated a list of options to keep you entertained.
Inspire Cheshire West
Read ideas posted by residents and Council teams, and add anything you discover that might inspire someone else. You can also say thank you to anyone who is helping you during this pandemic, or add your story of how your community is pulling together.
Are you worried about money?
Council tax
Support and advice is available if you are worried you cannot make your council tax payments.
If your income has reduced you may be entitled to help through our Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Get HELP
If you are claiming council tax reduction but are experiencing hardship you may be entitled to financial and practical support through the Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) scheme.
Are you worried about how to cope?
Wellbeing
The pandemic is affecting the way many of us live our lives, and it is normal for this to affect our mental health. Resources are available to support positive mental health and wellbeing, with tips of how to cope and who can help on our Live Well Cheshire West website.
If you need urgent support for your mental health, call the Mental Health Helpline on: 0800 145 6485, covering Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral. The helpline is for adults, children and young people and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Are you worried about getting essentials or how to look after someone you care for?
Get help to stock up - ask family, friends or neighbours to help pick up shopping for you or check out who can deliver locally. You can find full information about the support available near you, including community groups and local businesses that deliver shopping, hot meals, or provide other types of help by visiting the Live Well Cheshire West website.
This includes:
- Telephone advice, support, listening services and online help
- Meals, shopping and other practical support
- Information for parents
- Health advice
- Care at home and care homes
- Anxiety and mental health support
- Information for young people
- Help and support for carers
- Staying safe
- Income, bills and employment
- Things to do at home
You can also call the Council’s helpline for advice about available support.
- Telephone: 0300 123 7031
- Email: enquiries@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
NHS Volunteer Responders are also on hand to help with collecting shopping or prescriptions or to be there as someone to talk to.
- Telephone: 0808 196 3646
