These are uncertain times and we want you to know that we are here for you. 

We still expect and want to hear from you if you need us- not just for Coronavirus related symptoms.

If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to telephone us, but please don’t turn up to the surgery in person unless we advise you to. You will be offered a telephone or video call with the relevant Health Professional and only if they feel it is necessary, we will invite you in for further assessment.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus and need to be seen, this will be in a designated area.

If you need to check your symptoms or forinitial advice go to the NHS 111 online symptom checker

You should only contact NHS 111 by telephone if;

• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• Your condition gets worse
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
• You do not have access to the internet and are unable to contact NHS 111 online

IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY UNWELL OR SHORT OF BREATH AND NEED URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION CALL 999

If you do not have symptoms you should follow the government rules for everyone. From April 2020, this includes only leaving the house for very few reasons; see government guidance for details.

You should leave your house as little as possible. Even when you leave the house for exceptional reasons it is important that you:

• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds as soon as you get home

YOU CAN SPREAD THE VIRUS EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE SYMPTOMS.

For up to date information about what you need to do to protect yourself and others, please visit the Public Health Wales website.

If you have carers they can still visit you.  You will find more detailed information at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.  There is also helpful information from Age UK at www.ageuk.org.uk.  Please accept help from your family, friends and neighbours.  If there is nobody who can help you can contact Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on 01495 311556.

Parents

Please click on the link below for a special Covid message for parents:

Test. Trace. Protect. To keep Wales safe.

 The following advice will help to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep you, your friends, family, and community safe.

 If you get symptoms of Coronavirus:

• Loss of taste or smell,
• A continuous cough or
• Fever (high temperature)

You must…

1. Self-isolate and book a PCR test immediately, if positive you must self isolate for 10 days following your first day of symptoms or postive test.
2. (follow self-isolation guidance: gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus).
3. Book a test on the first day of your symptoms.

You can apply for a test online: www.gov.wales/applycoronavirus-test

Or call 119 for free between 7am and 11pm.

People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119

Tests take place at drive through testing centres or can be posted to your home.

If you choose a home testing kit, a video to show you how to take the test can be found here: gov.wales/using-coronavirus-home-testing-kit

If your test is negative, no further action is needed and you and your household can stop isolating, providing there are no new symptoms of coronavirus.

If you test positive you will be contacted by a contact tracer from the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect Service

• You will be asked to share the details of people you have been in close contact with up to 2 days before your symptoms started.
• The contact tracer will give you advice on what to do next.
• A contact tracer will then get in touch with your close contacts. They will be told they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, but your identity will not be revealed unless you have given your permission.

Contact tracers do not monitor where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing. You will not be reported when giving information about your contacts and your movements. We only use the information to stop the spread of the virus.

Further information about testing and contact tracing can be found here: gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Be Aware of Scammers

Contact from the NHS Wales Trace, Test, Protect service will only be from these official channels:

• Calls will be made from: 02921 961133
• Texts will be sent from: +447775106684
• Emails will be sent from: tracing@wales.nhs.uk / olrhain@wales.nhs.uk

DO NOT:

• Make any form of payment or purchase a product – a coronavirus test and advice from the service is free
• Give out any of your bank details
• Give out any passwords, PINs or set up any over the phone
• Download any software to your computer or tablet
• Dial a premium rate number to speak to anyone

If in any doubt, hang up or do not respond.

Protect yourself and others

Testing and contact tracing are only one way of preventing the spread of the virus. It is vital that we all continue to:

• Always stay at least 2 metres apart from people you don’t live with. This also applies in the workplace: breaks, meetings and travel to and from work.
• Catch coughs or sneeze into tissues, dispose of them and clean your hands as soon as possible
• Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser
• Do not touch your face unless you have thoroughly cleaned your hands
• Regularly disinfect surfaces and objects at home and work.

The most effective way to protect yourself and others from Coronavirus is to follow these steps.

However, Welsh Government advise people in Wales to wear three-layer face coverings in situations where social distancing is not possible or more difficult.

This only applies to people with no symptoms of coronavirus. Anyone who does have symptoms should not go out, even if they are wearing a face covering.