What should I do if I’m feeling unwell?

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms like fever and/or cough, you should immediately self-isolate regardless of travel or contact history.

If you are aged 4/39, take regular antigen tests. If negative, you are free to un-restrict 48 hours after symptoms subside. If positive, please log onto the HSE website and follow their guidelines regarding close contacts etc. In the event you need medical help please contact the surgery by phone.

If you are outside the above-aged category, are immunocompromised or are a healthcare worker, please contact the surgery by phone.

Your GP will assess you and decide if a test for Coronavirus (COVID-19) is necessary.

You can also call HSELive on 1850 24 1850 for further guidance.

Do not go to your GP surgery in person.

How can I protect myself from getting Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face with your hands. Hand gels with at least 60% alcohol content can be used if soap and water are not available.

• How to wash your hands with soap and water Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap.

• Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather.

• Rub the top of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails. Do this for about 20 seconds. Rinse your hands under running water.

• Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.

• A video demonstration is available at hse.ie/handhygiene When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue.

• Put used tissues into a closed bin and wash your hands.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Use regular household disinfectants to clean surfaces.

Do not shake hands or make close contact where possible.

We recommend social distancing for all people to decrease the spread of the virus. Social distance measures work by reducing contact between sick and healthy individuals.

We also recommend that you reduce social interactions to help protect yourself from getting the virus. Reduce the number of people you meet day today.

Some of the things you can do include:

• Reduce interactions with people outside the workplace and the home

• Increase your distance from others – keep separate by at least 1 metre (3ft), ideally at least 2 metres (6ft)

• Don’t shake hands

• Ideally, avoid communal sleeping areas

• Avoid crowded places

• Work from home if possible

When in crowded settings like public transport or a supermarket, practise personal protective measures by:

• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth AND

• Cleaning your hands often

Who are at-risk groups?

There are some groups of people who may be more at risk of serious illness if they catch Coronavirus (COVID-19).

These groups include:

• People over 75 are particularly vulnerable

• All people aged 60 years and over

• People (adults and children) with long-term medical conditions including people with cardiac and respiratory conditions

• People whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment including cancer patients

• Patients with any condition that can affect respiratory function (breathing)

• Residents of nursing homes and other long-stay settings including disability, mental health and older person services

• All over 50-year olds within the specialist disability health services

• All people in the specialist disability health services with an underlying health problem

Further support for older people

The charity ALONE, in partnership with the Department of Health and HSE, has a Coronavirus (COVID-19) support line for older people.

Older people can contact ALONE on 0818 222 024.

The line is open every day, 8 am-8 pm.