March 24th
We want to thank everyone for your support as we put further restrictions into place as precautionary measures to keep our residents well, and following advice from Public Health England.
Staff and residents are being continuously monitored for coronavirus symptoms, which can include a high temperature, cough and breathing difficulties. Should anyone fall into these categories families will be notified a.s.a.p.
To help maintain contact and help families stay in touch we are posting photos and updates on our Facebook page, as well as arranging telephone and Skype calls, and window visits by appointment if it is practical to do so.
The sacrifices that staff are making do not always get acknowledged, and we want to take this opportunity of saying thank you – you are all greatly appreciated and your smiles and continuous help is not going unnoticed. Again, THANK YOU.
March 10th
The situation around coronavirus (Covid-19) is an ever changing one with guidance being updated on an almost daily basis as more becomes known about the virus, how it spreads, and how to tackle it.
We want to assure you that we are doing all we can to mitigate any risk to our residents, their families/friends, and our staff.
We are prepared to deal with outbreaks of viruses, such as norovirus and seasonal influenza, and as a result, already have robust infection control arrangements in place.
We have reiterated to all our staff the importance of good hygiene and hand washing when caring for our residents and have placed posters in prominent places as a reminder.
We would ask all our visitors to be as equally scrupulous in your personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly and using the hand gel which we have available. Good hygiene is critical for self-protection but also to help vulnerable people.
If you have any symptoms of a cough, cold or fever- however slight- we ask you to refrain from visiting the home.
About Coronavirus
Coronavirus is a mild, upper respiratory tract infection, with or without fever, and a cough that can potentially develop into pneumonia, causing breathing difficulties. As with influenza, coronavirus can be more dangerous for vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease and other conditions that result in a weakened immune system.
The virus is most often spread via close (up to six feet) person-to-person contact. Typically, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be at their most contagious when they appear ill with symptoms.
What you should do
According to the latest information, the virus is most likely to occur in people who have recently returned from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Iran or Northern Italy.
For everyone’s safety and wellbeing, we strongly urge that family members or friends who have recently travelled to those places, or have been in contact with people who have travelled to/from such countries, do not visit their loved one until the incubation period has passed. This is currently 14 days, but this advice may change.
The government is currently coordinating the national response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and has published its coronavirus action plan. Public Health England (PHE) has published a range of COVID-19 guidance:
www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
The NHS has also updated its coronavirus webpages:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with both the government and NHS recommendations to keep your family members safe .
https://111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wn-cov-guidance-for-primary-care/wn-cov-interim-guidance-for-primary-care
As the situation progresses we advise you to use the above links to keep yourself updated.
Some of the key points to remember:
- 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, especially after using public transport. 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.
The following NHS website contains useful advice about effective handwashing – www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
