Reduce the risk at home
Evidence is showing that in Buckinghamshire you are most likely to catch coronavirus from someone you know – most likely from someone you live with.
There are extra steps you can take at home to reduce the risk of COVID-19 that are especially important if someone in your home has symptoms.
- Where possible leave indoor areas well ventilated - for more information you can watch a short YouTube video about why ventilation at home is so important.
- Regularly clean surfaces that are touched a lot like light switches and door handles and surfaces/taps etc in the kitchen and bathroom
- Avoid going into shared rooms where possible if you have symptoms and use a face covering if you have to go into any communal areas
- If someone in your home has symptoms they should always use a separate towel
- If your home has more than one bathroom, it’s best anyone with symptoms uses a separate bathroom to everyone else. If you all share the same bathroom then make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned after every use
For more information, please visit GOV.UK: guidance for households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.
If you live with someone who is Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, over 70 or at a greater risk from COVID-19, there are extra measures you should take if someone in the home has coronavirus symptoms.
- If possible, arrange for anyone at significant risk of the virus to stay somewhere else while the rest of the household isolates
- If this isn’t possible, try to minimise their contact with other people in the home, including them avoiding using shared areas where possible and maintaining social distance
- If you all share a toilet and bathroom, make sure the facilities are thoroughly cleaned after every use, including wiping surfaces you come into contact with
- You might want to draw up a rota for bathing/showering, with anyone with higher risk going first
For more information, please visit GOV.UK: guidance for households where someone is at increased risk or has a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.
Remember, if anyone in the home develops symptoms of COVID-19 then the whole household must isolate immediately. This means not going out or seeing anyone else.
You must book a test for anyone with symptoms as soon as possible by visiting GOV.UK: get a coronavirus test. Please call 119 if you can’t book online or via the NHS COVID-19 app.