Protect your household from Covid-19
Health bosses are urging residents not to put loved ones at risk and to take steps to prevent the spread of covid-19 to others at home.
Figures for Dudley borough show 37 per cent of cases (January 12 - 18) are linked to people in the same household.
Residents who develop symptoms or test positive must stay at home and, along with everyone else in their household, self-isolate.
However, it’s important the infected person avoids contact with those they’re living with, as much as possible, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
If they can, they should stay in a well ventilated room on their own, avoid shared spaces, such as kitchens, at the same time as other people and use a separate bathroom, or use the bathroom after everyone else and then clean it afterwards.
Surfaces and objects, such as door handles, kettles and phones, should be cleaned immediately after touching, face coverings should be considered in shared spaces and windows kept open in the room they’re in and in shared spaces, as much as possible. Towels, including hand towels and tea towels must not be shared.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:
We need to be doing all we can to stop the spread of the virus and protecting those we live with.
With recent figures showing 37 per cent of cases are linked to people in the same household it’s vital infected people make every attempt to distance themselves from others in their home.
I know this won’t be easy, but by following a simple few steps, it will help reduce the risk of passing the virus on to loved ones.
Just because one family member has coronavirus, or develops symptoms, doesn’t mean the rest of the household has to get it.
For more information on self isolating visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-to-avoid-spreading-coronavirus-to-people-you-live-with/
Anyone with the main three symptoms of covid-19, a new, continuous cough, a high temperature and / or a loss or change to sense of smell, must isolate immediately and seek a test under national guidance.
Dudley borough is one of a growing number of areas where is it also recommended that people with other symptoms seek a covid-19 test to help slow the spread of the virus.
Any adult who lives or works in the borough and has a headache, aches and pains, is feeling very tired for no good reason, a sore throat, a runny nose or sneezing episodes can now be tested. Children with upset stomachs or tummy ache can also be tested.
Drive-through tests are available at the Waterfront in Brierley Hill and walk through tests at Studley Gate car park next to Swanpool Park in Stourbridge, Flood Street car park in Dudley, and Jackson Street in Lye.
Further details can be found at www.dudley.gov.uk/coronavirus and all tests must be booked in advance at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.