COVID-19 – PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY
If you believe you are at risk of carrying the coronavirus please do not enter the practice. Following a phone consultation, patients deemed at risk will be referred to the HSE test centres for testing (HSE helpline on 1850 24 1850) as we currently are not in a position to complete any Covid-19 testing.
Please observe the process above to protect our team – if one of our team gets the coronavirus, it could result in our entire practice having to close for a period. We ask all patients to support us and their own community during this very difficult time:
- Do not book appointments in the practice for minor ailments – every appointment carries the risk of spreading this virus.
- Order repeat scripts online or by phone – most repeat prescriptions do not require an appointment – and give us 4 days to supply your script as we are going to be extremely busy for the next while.
- Do not attend the practice for sick certs – if needed, email us and we will respond.
- If you must attend the practice, do not arrive before your appointment time-wait outside at least 2 metres from the next person. We cannot implement safe social distancing if there are too many patients in our waiting rooms.
- Please do not bring companions into the practice with you unless absolutely necessary.
HSE updates on the Corona Virus are available on:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html and HSE information on Coronavirus
The risk of catching coronavirus in Ireland
Anyone who knows they have been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days OR has symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever) should:
- isolate themselves from other people – this means going into a different, well-ventilated room, with a phone
- phone their GP, or emergency department – if this is not possible, phone 112, or 999
- in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999 .
Close contact means either:
- face-to-face contact
- spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of an infected person.
Symptoms of coronavirus
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear.
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- fever (high temperature)
If you have these symptoms then please follow the steps outlined above.
How coronavirus is spread
Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets.
You could get the virus if you:
- come into close contact with someone who has the virus and is coughing or sneezing
- touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on
Because it’s a new illness, we do not know how easily the virus spreads from person to person. We do not know if someone can spread the virus before they show symptoms.
The virus may survive for 24 to 72 hours if someone who has it coughs or sneezes on a surface. Simple household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces. Clean the surface first and then use a disinfectant.
PACKAGES FROM AFFECTED COUNTRIES
There is no evidence that you can get coronavirus from packages or food that has come from China or elsewhere. There is no evidence that animals or animal products legally imported into the EU are a health risk due to coronavirus.
Protect yourself from Coronavirus
DO:
- Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
- Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Follow the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Practice social distancing outside your home – keep a distance of 2 metres between you and others, and avoid hand shaking and close contact.
- Wear a face mask as advised by the HSE
DON’T:
- Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
WASH YOUR HANDS:
- after coughing or sneezing
- after toilet use
- before eating
- before and after preparing food
- if you are in contact with a sick person, especially those with respiratory symptoms
- if your hands are dirty
- if you have handled animals or animal waste.
(Reference: www.hse.ie )