If My Family Member Has Covid What Do I Do

Coronavirus (COVID-xix): Guidance for individuals with possible coronavirus infection

Self-isolating when you are asked to is the best fashion to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Information technology's very important that you stay at abode (self-isolate) if:

you have symptoms of coronavirus
you've had a positive lateral flow device (LFD) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result
you've been told to self-isolate because yous're a close contact of a positive case

When and how long to self-isolate due to coronavirus

Utilize this guide to find out if you lot need to self-isolate and for how long.

Self-help guide

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What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The about mutual symptoms are new:

continuous cough
fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater)
loss of, or modify in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia)

A new continuous cough is where you:

have a new cough that'southward lasted for an hr
have had iii or more episodes of cough in 24 hours
are coughing more than usual

A high temperature is feeling hot to the bear on your chest or back (you don't need to mensurate your temperature). You may feel warm, cold or shivery.

Cocky-isolation if you have coronavirus

If yous have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If you examination positive, you should cocky-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started.

If you've had a positive PCR or LFD test result just no symptoms, you should cocky-isolate for ten days from the date of your examination. You lot may go on to develop symptoms over the side by side few days, but you don't need a confirmatory PCR test, unless advised by a clinician, and y'all don't need to re-start your isolation menstruation. If yous develop any of the chief symptoms of coronavirus and y'all are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, phone 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency telephone 999.

You lot may nevertheless take a cough or loss of, or modify in, sense of odour or taste for several weeks. People with symptoms are very unlikely to infect others after the 10th day of illness. In one case yous've completed your 10 mean solar day cocky-isolation, you can return to piece of work and your usual activities (regardless of your LFD result) as long as yous feel better and do not accept a high temperature. You must continue to follow the Scottish Government'due south coronavirus advice.

Ending self-isolation early

You may be able to end self-isolation early if you have 2 negative LFD test results in a row from twenty-four hours 6 onwards, taken 24 hours autonomously. For case, a negative LFD test result on day half-dozen and 7, twenty-four hour period seven and 8, or 24-hour interval 8 and nine. Y'all should written report your LFD test result after taking each test, regardless of the outcome. To be able to finish self-isolation, you should likewise make sure you:

practise not have a high temperature
follow the guidance for staying safe when yous've ended self-isolation

Yous should non take an LFD test earlier solar day 6 of your self-isolation menses.

You should only end self-isolation later 2 negative LFD exam results in a row.

This guidance applies regardless of age, vaccination condition or previous infection.

If y'all continue to test positive on LFD tests, or choose not to take LFD tests to end cocky-isolation early on, you can return to piece of work and your usual activities on the 11th day afterwards your symptoms started, as long as you feel better and do not accept a loftier temperature.

If you're nonetheless testing positive during a period of isolation and, rightly, reporting the positive exam results, you'll receive repeated isolation information from Test and Protect. You should not restart your isolation catamenia, instead, you should keep to follow the advice yous received following your first positive test.

Support available

If you're told to self-isolate by Test and Protect y'all may be eligible for a £500 Cocky-Isolation Support Grant. If you have tested positive on a LFD examination, you need a confirmatory positive PCR test result to apply for the grant.

Book a PCR test

National Help Helpline

If your friends or family unit are not able to assist, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000).

This helpline is merely for those who take to stay at dwelling simply can't get the assist they need through friends or family.

If you've tested positive in the last 28 days

If yous've tested positive, yous should break routine LFD testing for 28 days subsequently cocky-isolating. Count the 28 days from the mean solar day your symptoms started, or the engagement of your positive test if you didn't have symptoms. If you're identified as a shut contact during this time, you practice not need to test or self-isolate as long as y'all exercise not take whatsoever new symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. If you lot exercise develop new symptoms, self-isolate and volume a PCR test.

Self-isolation if you're a close contact

You may exist a close contact if you:

alive with someone who has tested positive – for example you slumber in the aforementioned domicile or live in shared accommodation like university halls
have spent 8 hours or more in the home of the person who has tested positive during their infectious period – for example a sleepover
are a cleaner (non using PPE) who cleans the home of the person who has tested positive, even if you did not spend time with them
have had face-to-face contact less than i metre apart from the person who has tested positive for any length of time
accept had any contact less than i metre apart from the person who tested positive for 1 minute or longer
have been inside 2 metres of the person who tested positive for more than 15 minutes
motorcar-shared with the person who tested positive

If y'all live with someone who tests positive, you should follow the guidance for shut contacts from when their symptoms started, or from when they tested positive if they don't have symptoms.

If you're not sure if yous're a close contact, or if you need communication about shut contacts, you can telephone call the National Contact Tracing Eye on 0800 030 8012. Interpreter services and contactScotland-BSL are available.

The infectious period is whatever time from 2 days earlier any i of the three main symptoms starts and up to 10 days after. If the person who tested positive does not take symptoms, their close contacts are counted from two days earlier the appointment of their positive exam and up to 10 days later on.

Close contacts who are fully vaccinated

If you lot're a shut contact who is fully vaccinated, you can accept daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating. Fully vaccinated means you've received 3 doses of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you last saw the person who tested positive. If you alive with the person who tested positive, the 14 days is counted from the solar day their symptoms started, or fourteen days before they tested positive if they don't have symptoms. The daily LFD tests should be taken for vii days in a row or until the cease of your 10 day self-isolation period, whichever is soonest.

Every bit a close contact, if you develop the main symptoms of coronavirus you lot should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR examination. If this is negative continue to take daily LFD tests for vii days or the elapsing of your self-isolation period which e'er is soonest. If this is positive and then you demand to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. You lot may be able to stop self-isolation early on.

If any of your LFD tests are positive, yous should self-isolate for 10 days from the engagement of your positive test result. You practise not need to book a follow-upwardly PCR exam to confirm your positive LFD result.

Close contacts who are non fully vaccinated

If yous're a shut contact who is not fully vaccinated, you should cocky-isolate for 10 days and book a PCR test. Fifty-fifty if your exam result is negative, you should complete the 10 twenty-four hour period self-isolation.

If you've had a positive PCR test issue in the concluding 90 days, you do non demand to book some other PCR exam unless you develop new symptoms.

If y'all cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you lot should follow the guidance for close contacts who are fully vaccinated.

If you're taking function in a registered clinical vaccine trial which ways you cannot be fully vaccinated, y'all tin can follow the guidance for fully vaccinated shut contacts.

Close contacts aged under 18 years and 4 months

Close contacts anile under 18 years and 4 months can take daily LFD tests instead of cocky-isolating. The daily LFD tests should be taken for 7 days in a row or until the terminate of your 10 day self-isolation menstruum, whichever is soonest.

As a close contact, if y'all develop the main symptoms of coronavirus you should immediately cocky-isolate and volume a PCR test. If this is negative continue to take daily LFD tests for 7 days or the duration of your self-isolation flow which ever is soonest. If this is positive then you need to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. You lot may exist able to end self-isolation early.

If any of your LFD tests are positive, you should self-isolate for ten days from the engagement of your positive examination event. You do not need to volume a follow-up PCR test to confirm your positive LFD consequence.

'Low gamble' contacts aged under 18 years and iv months

Y'all may receive a notification to tell you that you or your child is a 'low risk' contact. Notifications are normally sent past schools or nurseries to children who have shared a classroom with someone who has tested positive.

Low risk contacts do not need to self-isolate, volume a PCR test or take daily LFD tests. They should follow the advice in the notification to take actress precautions, including regular LFD testing.

Children under 5

Children nether 5 who are close contacts do non need to self-isolate or have daily LFD tests, but are recommended to take a test.

If the child under 5 has symptoms or develops symptoms and then they should have a PCR test.

If you're unable to have LFD tests for a medical reason

If you or someone you care for is identified as a contact merely have been advised past a medical professional that you or they are unable to do take LFD tests for a medical reason, this should be discussed with Exam and Protect when they contact you.

Staying prophylactic if yous've ended self-isolation

If you lot're someone who tin stop cocky-isolation, yous should:

limit shut contact with other people exterior your household, specially in enclosed spaces, for 10 days
vesture a face roofing in enclosed spaces and where you lot cannot maintain concrete distancing
limit contact with anyone who is at highest risk for 10 days
not visit people in care homes, hospitals, prisons or other detention centres for 10 days, unless essential and agreed with staff in advance
continue to take part in twice weekly lateral catamenia device (LFD) testing after the x days

If you've tested positive, count the ten days from the date your symptoms started, or the date of your exam if you do not have symptoms. If you lot're a close contact, count the ten days from the engagement of your concluding contact with the positive case.

How to cocky-isolate

Do

inquire others for assist to make sure you tin stay at domicile
ask your employer, friends or family to assistance you get the things you need
stay at to the lowest degree two metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your habitation whenever possible
slumber alone if possible
wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly
stay abroad from the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
consider whether older people and those with underlying wellness conditions tin stay in another firm while y'all need to stay at dwelling
contact carers to tell them you're cocky-isolating so they can follow the right procedures to forestall spread of the infection
keep in touch with friends and family past telephone or through social media
postpone whatsoever non-essential healthcare appointments – for example medical, dental or optician appointments

Cocky-isolation means you lot should stay at home. You lot shouldn't go to work, school, public areas or use public transport. Y'all shouldn't get out to purchase food or other essentials.

Avoid shut contact with others by:

not having visitors
not using taxis or public transport
asking a friend or neighbour to get your shopping or arranging for a delivery to be left at your door
non sharing towels, clothes, toothbrushes or razors

What you lot tin can do to help yourself go better

Read our advice on treating coronavirus symptoms at dwelling house

Wash your hands regularly

Launder your hands with lather and water for xx seconds regularly. This will assistance protect yous and others around you lot from passing on any infection. You can too use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if your hands aren't visibly dirty.

Dry your hands using a separate towel from other people.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your olfactory organ and oral fissure with disposable tissues when y'all coughing or sneeze. If y'all don't have a tissue, cough into the crook of your elbow and non in your paw.

Dispose of your tissues in a dispensable rubbish bag and wash your hands immediately with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser.

Stay abroad from others

Separate yourself from other people in your home and proceed the door airtight. If you tin't stay in a split up room, try to stay ii metres (3 steps) away from the other people.

Stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that tin can be opened. Try to keep the window open every bit much as possible to help with ventilation and air flow. This volition help to keep clean air moving through your room.

Each person should:

sleep in a dissimilar bed where possible
use their own toothbrushes, towels, linen, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery
take meals to their ain room to consume

Shared living spaces

Spend every bit little fourth dimension as possible in your kitchen, bathrooms and sitting areas and go along these areas well ventilated. This is particularly of import if you, or your family members, are at higher risk.

If y'all can, use a separate bath from the residual of the household. If you lot share a kitchen, avoid using information technology while others are nowadays.

If you lot share a toilet and bathroom wipe whatever surfaces you lot come in contact with and clean it after every use.

Apply a dishwasher if you have one. If you lot don't have a dishwasher, launder your plates and cutlery using washing up liquid and warm water. Then dry them thoroughly with a separate tea towel.

Collecting shopping and prescriptions

If possible, ask a friend or family member to run errands on your behalf. For instance ownership groceries, picking upward prescriptions or walking your dog.

Yous tin can also order your shopping online, merely ask them to leave items outside or by your front door. The commitment commuter should not come into your home.

Pharmacies tin often adjust to deliver repeat prescriptions if y'all run out while you remain at home. Other people can collect a prescription on your behalf.

Cleaning products

Clean all surfaces every day with a household cleaner that'south active confronting viruses and leaner. Pay special attention to often touched areas. Usual household products like detergents and bleach are effective.

Launder your easily with soap and h2o after cleaning surfaces and treatment clothing and bedding.

Waste disposal

You can put personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths in disposable rubbish numberless. These should exist:

placed into another bag
tied securely
kept carve up from other waste in your room
put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin

Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

Laundry

Don't shake dirty laundry as this can spread the virus through the air.

Wash laundry using the highest temperature setting on the characterization. Where possible, wash laundry separately from other people living in your household.

If you don't take a washing machine, wait a further 3 days subsequently your self-isolation menstruum has ended to accept your laundry to a launderette.

If you live with someone at college take a chance

Family members at higher take chances should spend every bit piffling time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. You should go along these spaces well ventilated.

The person at higher risk should, where possible:

keep 2 metres (three steps) away from you lot and others in your household
sleep in a unlike bed
use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household
apply dissever towels from the other people in your house
take their meals back to their room to eat

The rest of the household should:

make clean whatsoever shared toilets and bathrooms every time you use them, for example wiping surfaces you have come up into contact with
consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with the college risk person using the facilities first
avoid using the kitchen while they are nowadays.
use a dishwasher to clean and dry out the family unit'south used crockery and cutlery
wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm h2o if you don't have a dishwasher
dry all crockery and cutlery thoroughly, and apply a dissever tea towel if the college chance person is using their own utensils

If you live with a college risk person and it'south non possible to physically distance from them, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000) to hash out your needs.

Belatedly stages of pregnancy

If you think y'all're in labour, phone your motherhood unit of measurement and tell them you think you're in labour only have been self-isolating. They'll be able to advise you lot what to do adjacent.

Nosotros accept more detailed coronavirus guidance for people who are pregnant

Breastfeeding

Read our advice on breastfeeding if you lot have coronavirus

Face up masks

If you have a carer who visits your domicile, they demand to wear protective equipment to reduce the take a chance of infection. It's recommended you wear a face mask also.

If necessary, your local carer's centre can provide protective equipment to your carer.

Find a carer centre in your area

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Source: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-individuals-with-possible-coronavirus-infection