Main menu Main menu Home About the New QEII Getting there New QEII services Feeling unwell NEWS AND CAMPAIGNS Home / News and campaigns / Concerned about Coronavirus? Not sure whether it’s a cold or coronavirus? Finding it hard to get a COVID-19 test? Read our coronavirus Q&A The latest COVID-19 safety information for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust patients and visitors Concerned about Coronavirus? ‹ › About This Story The coronavirus and protecting yourself from it How can I protect myself from the virus? The best ways we know to protect ourselves are by; washing your hands regularly or using sanitiser if there’s no soap and water, keeping your distance from people whenever possible, wearing a face covering where required or advised, and being alert to potential coronavirus symptoms in ourselves and others. What are the most common symptoms of coronavirus? Typical coronavirus symptoms are: a high temperature; a new continuous cough; or a change to or loss of sense of taste of smell. A high temperature or fever is usually considered to be a temperature of 38C or above. See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms for more details about coronavirus symptoms. If you don’t have a thermometer you can usually tell if someone has a high temperature if they: feel hotter than usual to touch on their forehead, back or stomach feel sweaty or clammy have flushed cheeks How can I tell if I have coronavirus or a cold? If you are not sure whether you or your child’s symptoms suggest that they have coronavirus or an everyday cough or cold, you can consult this online NHS symptom checker, which has been designed to help you to tell the difference. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms Children often pick up colds and bugs after returning to school, but a runny nose or sore throat are not associated with COVID-19. Testing I think I need a coronavirus test. How can I get one? If you have any of the coronavirus symptoms, try to arrange a test straight away. If you can access the internet, go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Do not try to book a test if you haven’t got symptoms. Tests are only for those with symptoms and you would be making it harder for people with symptoms to get the test they need. What if I can’t get online? If you can’t get online, or have trouble using websites, you can try the telephone test booking number, which is 119. However, the telephone service doesn’t have access to any more tests than the online booking system. If there are no appointments online, calling 119 will not help. I have symptoms but I haven’t been able to get a test. What should I do? We know that many people all over the country are having problems booking a test and we understand how frustrating this is. Do keep trying, as new testing slots are added regularly during the day. Can I get a test from my GP, hospital or by turning up to a test site and joining the queue? No. The only way for members of the public to get a test anywhere is to use the booking service. Your GP does not have any COVID tests and they cannot diagnose COVID-19 in an appointment. Going to a GP practice with symptoms endangers others and could cause the practice to close. Hospitals only have a very limited number of tests for patients about to have planned treatments, or waiting to be discharged from hospital – you can’t get a test in an A&E department. If you turn up at a testing site without an appointment, staff cannot and will not test you. I haven’t been able to get a COVID test, but I have symptoms. What should I do? If you have COVID symptoms but haven’t been able to get a test within 5 days of your symptoms developing, you should act as if you have the virus and follow the self-isolation guidance. You must not leave your home for 10 days and anyone in your household or support bubble who hasn’t got symptoms must stay at home too, for 14 days. This is in case they go on to develop symptoms as well. If people in your household go on to develop symptoms, they should try to get a test too. Detailed government advice on staying at home can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection If you need to get food or other essential supplies during your isolation, please ask a friend or a family member who doesn’t live with you to get them for you. How can I look after myself if I have COVID-19, or the symptoms of the virus? There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus, but you can often ease the symptoms at home until you recover, using the advice on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-to-treat-symptoms-at-home/ If your symptoms get worse and you are worried, go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can ring NHS 111. If you have a long-term health condition and you are worried about the impact of your coronavirus symptoms on your health, contact your GP surgery online or on the phone. Children and coronavirus My child doesn’t have symptoms but has been sent home from school because someone in their school ‘bubble’ has coronavirus. What should I do? Our schools, colleges and early years settings are working hard to try to ensure that pupils and staff are protected and to stop the virus spreading. This means that children in the same group, class, or year as someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus are being asked to self-isolate, even if they don’t have symptoms. Although this is tough on children and families, this should slow down the rate at which the virus is spreading in our area. Here’s what self-isolation means for a child or young person and their household members: Self-isolation means they must not leave their home for 14 days because they might have been exposed to Covid-19. It can take 14 days for symptoms to develop Your child(ren) should not leave the house and cannot visit family, friends or attend any activities or parties, even if these are outdoors. They cannot go out to exercise, use public transport or taxis, even if they wear a mask. Being sent home does not mean that your child(ren) has coronavirus and you should not book a test for your child(ren), unless they develop symptoms Other members of your household will not be expected to self-isolate due to child(ren) being sent home in a school bubble unless the child develops symptoms, in which case the rules on testing and self-isolation apply above. If your child(ren) develops symptoms while self-isolating at home, your entire household must self-isolate immediately and you should try to book a test for those with symptoms. You should check the period of self-isolation which applies here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/ Isolation notes My employer has asked me to get an isolation note. How can I get one? If you have been asked to get an isolation note from your employer, go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19. There is no need to call your GP and you must not visit your GP practice. My child has a runny nose. Do I need a doctor’s note to say they can attend school? Children often have runny noses. You do not need a note from your doctor to send your child to school if they have a sniffle. How will I manage if I have to isolate? If you are worried about how you will manage with shopping, getting prescriptions or managing financially when you are isolating, go to this website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/help-and-financial-support-while-youre-self-isolating/ More news, events and campaigns New QEII Urgent Care Centre Temporarily closed between 10pm and 8am Chief nurse among those leading ‘stay at home’ plea Play you part by staying at home COVID-19 vaccinations being offered by Hertfordshire GPs Your essential NHS services here for you during the national lockdown Tell us about your visit Selecteer een taal▼ Follow Us Report to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme any suspected Covid-19 vaccination side effects. 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