Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough, and/or high temperature
• high temperature

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild infection

Please do not attend your dental appointment if you have the above symptoms or your household is in self-isolation due to another having symptoms.  Please seek further information from the NHS Coronavirus website and self-isolate following NHS guidance. Should your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online.  If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.  For a medical emergency dial 999.

Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.  Everyone is reminded to follow Public Health England advice:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.  Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, expecially after using public transportation.  Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Sources:

NHS England and NHS Improvement, 18 February 2020.

NHS Overview - Coronavirus (COVID-19), 18 March 2020.