hand washing to prevent infection

Coronavirus update from Buckinghamshire County Council

Buckinghamshire County Council is working closely with the NHS and Public Health England (PHE) in order to be prepared to deal with the new Coronavirus COVID-19.

Buckinghamshire County Council and the NHS have put in place measures to ensure the availability of services to local people and protect staff

1. Handwashing – The most important thing that everyone can do as an individual is follow NHS advice on handwashing. This means washing your hands more frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This video shows the best way to wash your hands.

2. NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if:

  • you think you might have coronavirus;
  • in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
  • you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Contact 111 if you need to speak to someone

3. Travel risk – The latest information about Coronovirus symptoms and areas of travel risk can be found on nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

4. General advice – Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with an infected person via cough, sneeze or hand contact. You can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if you do not wash your hands afterwards.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Coronavirus hand washing poster