Sheffield City Council’s Director of Public Health Greg Fell gives an update on ...
COVID-19 updates from Director of Public Health Sheffield, Greg Fell
This page will be updated with regular updates from Director of Public Health Sheffield, Greg Fell.
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Friday 20 March
“Information on COVID-19 is changing fast, and so I wanted to take this opportunity to offer further advice on what we should be doing as individuals and as a community in Sheffield.
“Sheffield City Council continues to work closely with Public Health England, the NHS and all health and care partners to do everything we can in terms of preventing further spread of the virus and caring for those who have it.
“We now have many confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city, and unfortunately we have confirmed deaths. This is the most testing time we have experienced nationally and that is why it’s important to highlight the things we should all be doing in order to combat this virus.
“The latest advice is:
- if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for 7 days
- if you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms
- wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and more often
- avoid social activities such as going to pubs, restaurants and theatres
- avoid mass gatherings such as events and religious gatherings
- work from home, if you can
- avoid all unnecessary travel
“I urge everyone in the city to follow this advice.
“It is especially important that those who are most vulnerable are protected, as we know that some groups are particularly susceptible to more severe illness and risk of death. This includes all those over 70, those adults who are normally recommended a flu vaccination by their GP, pregnant women and a small group of people with weakened immunity as a result of an illness or treatment.
“We encourage those who are vulnerable to stay at home. This is likely to be for at least twelve weeks.
“We recognise this is a big ask and it will be disruptive but the intention is to minimise the risk of serious illness.
“There is no doubt that we are dealing with a fast-moving situation, with developments happening all the time. There will continue to be more cases confirmed over the next weeks and months, but I want to reassure people that we have robust arrangements in Sheffield with excellent infection control facilities.
“The national response is now in the ‘delay’ phase, the number of tests that are carried out each day are expected to increase, but will be prioritised for those who require hospital care.
“There is a wealth of information online, including wellbeing, what to do, what not to do, and what you should do if you start to develop symptoms. I ask that you please rely on trusted sources such as www.gov.uk and www.nhs.uk for the latest guidance.”
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- Visit our Sheffield Newsroom for updates on COVID-19 information including event cancellations
- Updates on local services
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Update from 11 March 2020
Specialists from Public Health England (PHE) are working with Sheffield City Council and NHS colleagues following one confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Helen McAuslane, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England Yorkshire and Humber, said:
“Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with one confirmed case of COVID-19. This case is a resident of Sheffield. Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.”
Greg Fell, Director for Public Health Sheffield said:
“Firstly, I would like to send my best wishes to those affected for a speedy recovery.
“Sheffield City Council has been working closely with Public Health England, the NHS and all health and care partners to prevent further spread of the virus.
“With the arrangements we have set up here in the city, the risk is low to residents and visitors of Sheffield. We are in touch with Public Health England daily, making sure that we share relevant and timely information with the public and our partners.
“Our advice remains the same, we encourage everyone to wash their hands, for twenty seconds, and to follow good hygiene practices. If you start to show symptoms and have recently travelled to an affected country or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, please call NHS 111.”
For all the latest advice please visit:
