Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Page updated: 15 September 2020

We will update this page regularly as new information is issued.

Stay up to date with all of the latest Government guidance and what you can and cannot do at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please visit the Pendle Borough Council website for local coronavirus updates. https://www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus

PLEASE NOTE: As from 6am, 26 March 2020 in order to help protect patients, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust are no longer accepting visitors except for the following reasons

▶️ The patient is receiving end of life care
▶️ The patient is a child or neonate - must be a parent/carer only
▶️ A partner or birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour
▶️ To support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed

Visitors should observe strict 2 metre social distancing principles whilst moving around the hospital, wear face coverings and adhere to strict hand washing on entering and leaving the hospital and clinical areas.

Information about the virus

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are usually mild, but some people can become very unwell. The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms. More information at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For local coronavirus information, please visit your local council

Getting a test for coronavirus

To find out about testing in the your local area, please visit your local council website:

For further information, please also visit https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/your-health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do:

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
wash your hands as soon as you get back home
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Don't:

touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Check the NHS website for more information on coronavirus.

Staying at home if you have symptoms (self-isolation)

If your symptoms are mild, NHS 111 will usually advise you and anyone you live with not to leave your home. This is called self-isolation. Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate for 7 days from when their symptoms started. Anyone who does not have symptoms should self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person in your home started having symptoms.

How to stop infection spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.

Do:

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
wash your hands as soon as you get back home
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Don’t:

touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Check the NHS website for more information on coronavirus.

What can I do and not do?

To find out the latest about restrictions in your area area, please visit your local council for the latest information: