Living with COVID

As set out in the government’s strategy, the UK has now moved to a new phase of managing COVID-19. Vaccines remain at the heart of this approach to living with the virus in the future. As new variants arise, there may be times when there are higher case numbers of COVID-19. It is important to keep up the safe and healthy behaviours we outline below.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and a high temperature or feel unwell, please try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Only get back to your normal activities when you feel well enough and you no longer have a high temperature.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test result you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days (or three days for young people aged 18 and under). This is when you are most infectious.

Read the latest government information about protecting yourself from COVID-19.

Keep up healthy habits to look after yourself and protect our community:

• Keep washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds or more.
  
• Meet outside and let fresh air in if you meet inside.
• Consider wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed spaces.
• Remember good hygiene basics. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Keep vaccinations up to date.
• If you have symptoms or confirmed COVID-19 please try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
• If you feel unwell (not just COVID symptoms), stay at home and avoid close contact with anyone who might be at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell.

If you’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, please read the NHS advice.  You can also contact the Isle of Wight COVID-19 helpline on 01983 823600 or email on contact.centre@iow.gov.uk. 

If you are feeling unwell speak to your local pharmacist and visit NHS 111 online for medical advice. Call NHS 111 first and only call 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening condition or injury.

This video from Dr Simon Giles from The Bay Medical Practice gives some tips for treating COVID-19 at home. 

You can find statistics on COVID-19 infection on the ONS COVID-19 infection survey website. This provides data and trends in COVID-19 infection at national and regional level. It uses a random sample of the population and because of this is less impacted by changes in testing policy.