Aga Khan Health Board for the United Kingdom
Guidelines from the Aga Khan Health Board issued 30 March 2020
1. If you have a new continuous cough or a fever over 37.8C you have suspected coronavirus and need to stay at home and self-isolate
2. You do not need to call your GP or NHS 111 if your symptoms are mild. The majority of us will have mild symptoms. The NHS is currently not testing anyone for Coronavirus unless they are admitted to hospital.
3. A small number of people may have more severe symptoms like shortness of breath or a wheeze and these murids should call 111 or go online at http://111.nhs.uk
4. If you have symptoms of Coronavirus and live alone, you need to self-isolate and not leave your home for 7 days. You may need to ask family or friends to deliver food and medications to your door, but they should not come into your home.
5. If you live in a home with others and you develop symptoms of Coronavirus, all household members will have to self-isolate for 14 days. Please see this link for more detailed information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
6. If you have symptoms of coronavirus and live with someone who is vulnerable, please ensure you keep your distance from them at all times at home- please ensure that you are not in the same rooms as them (kitchen and bathrooms) and ensure you clean surfaces thoroughly after using a room. If you are in the same room, please ensure you are at least 2metres away from them at all times. As a rough guide, two meters is about the length of a broomstick.
7. If you have a fever or cough you can safely take paracetamol. At present there are some concerns about ibuprofen so whilst we are waiting for NHS guidance, we would suggest limiting ibuprofen use for the time being, unless you have specifically been asked to take this by your doctor, in which case check with your doctor.
8. To reduce the risk of catching or passing along the virus, please wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds each time. Please avoid touching your face. Clean hard surfaces often. Please look after each other and make daily time for prayer and meditation, exercise inside the home, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, sleeping well and limiting time on screens and television.
9. Now shielding. If you are considered to be extremely vulnerable (you should have received a letter from the NHS), you are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face to face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks. Visit from people who provide essential support to you such as healthcare, personal support or social care should continue but carers and care workers must stay away if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
10. It is important that we look after each other, that you regularly try to keep in touch with older family members and friends, and those without other family support to ensure that they are ok. Please stay in touch via telephone and email- no social visits!
Now everyone is practicing social distancing. This means that you must stay at home but can leave your house for one of four reasons:
• Shopping for basic necessities- food and medicine but these trips should be as infrequent as possible
• One form of exercise a day
• Any medical need or to provide care or help a vulnerable person
• Travelling to and from work- but only if this is essential and cannot be done from home.
If you need more help contact the Coronavirus support helpline on 0208 191 0911 or email [email protected]
