Please follow the NHS test and trace system

Cheshire East Council is reminding residents of the urgent need to get tested if they develop any symptoms of coronavirus.

The reminder follows the recent publishing of the council's local outbreak prevention, management and support plan. This details what steps are being taken to prevent community outbreaks of Covid-19 within Cheshire East, how it would be investigated, managed and contained if an outbreak occurred.

The plan, detailing how the council is working with its health partners, can be viewed on the council's website here.

Residents are being asked to play their part by self-isolating if they develop any coronavirus symptoms and booking a Covid-19 test through the NHS test and trace system.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

You may have coronavirus and should self-isolate and book a test if you have:

• A new, persistent cough;
• A high temperature – if you feel hot to touch on your chest or back; and
• A loss or change in normal taste or smell.

What do you do if you develop symptoms?

As part of the NHS Test and Trace system anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus should:

• Self -isolate immediately;
• Book a coronavirus test by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/ – the test can be done either with kit at home or by booking a visit to a mobile testing unit;
• Continue to self-isolate until the test results are confirmed; and
• If you test positive for coronavirus you need to share details and information of who you have recently been in contact with.
• If your test comes back negative you do not need to continue to self-isolate and should continue to take extra precautions, such as adhering to social distancing measures and wearing a face covering on public transport.

What do you do if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace?

You'll be alerted by the NHS test and trace service if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. This alert will come to you either by text, phonecall or email and you will be given instructions to contact the NHS test and trace service and begin to self-isolate.

You must then self-isolate for up to 14 days, even if you aren't symptomatic, because it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.

If you then start to develop coronavirus symptoms you should book a test. If your test is positive, you must continue to stay at home for 7 days. If your test is negative, you must still complete your 14 day self-isolation period because the virus may not be detectable yet.

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.