In light of the recent outbreak of the coronavirus in China and the diagnosis of cases in the UK, we wish to reassure our residents, their families, our staff and suppliers that we will deal with any suspected outbreak in accordance with published NHS Guidelines. These cover the potential identification and diagnosis of the virus in someone connected to one of our homes or support offices, as well as the process to be followed thereafter – isolation of the patient, their transfer to a specialist unit and the environmental deep cleaning of the home.

Although the virus is commonly seen across the world, the type that has been identified in Wuhan City, China, is a new version – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) – and the full extent of its symptoms and behaviour are still coming to light.

About coronavirus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.

The incubation period of COVID-19, is between 2 to 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not become a case.

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. Just like influenza and other respiratory illnesses, respiratory droplets from infected coughs or sneezes can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby or be inhaled into their lungs. However, it’s currently unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV by handling a virus-contaminated surface or object and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. Typically, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be at their most contagious when they appear ill with symptoms.

Respiratory secretions containing the virus are most likely to be the most important means of transmission; these are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, in the same way colds spread.

There are 2 main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:

• infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) or possibly could be inhaled into the lungs
• it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face). Our current understanding is that the virus doesn’t survive on surfaces for longer than 72 hours.

There is currently little evidence that people without symptoms are infectious to others.

How long any respiratory virus survives will depend on a number of factors, for example:

• what surface the virus is on
• whether it is exposed to sunlight
• differences in temperature and humidity
• exposure to cleaning products

Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surfaces is likely to have decreased significantly by 72 hours.

Regular cleaning of frequently-touched hard surfaces and hands will therefore help to reduce the risk of infection.

What you should do

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• washing your hands often – with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if handwashing facilities are not available – this is particularly important after taking public transport. Guidance is available on hand washing
• covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch It, Bin It, Kill It
• people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work
• employees should wash their hands:
  • before leaving home
  • on arrival at work
  • after using the toilet
  • after breaks and sporting activities
  • before food preparation
  • before eating any food, including snacks
  • before leaving work
  • on arrival at home
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• if staff are worried about their symptoms or those of a family member or colleague, please call NHS 111. They should not go to their GP or other healthcare environment
• see further information and the Public Health England Blog and the NHS UK page

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 or Thailand. For everyone’s safety and wellbeing, we strongly urge that family members or friends who have recently travelled to these places, or have been in contact with people who have travelled to/from such countries, do not visit their loved one in the homes until the incubation period has passed. This is currently 14 days, but this advice may change.

Further information

If you have either travelled to the countries listed, or been in contact with anyone who has, please call NHS 111 immediately for advice. The NHS/Gov.UK publishes the following guidelines for those who feel that they may be at risk: