We have been asked to share this Coronavirus update by Inverclyde Council including local information and a number of external links to key website pages.

 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - public information

www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus - a national website to keep you up to date with changes 

Scottish Government guidance in relation to self-isolation requirements has been updated. It has announced that as of Friday 13 March, anyone developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, however mild, should self-isolate for seven days.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are the recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature

If symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, then people are advised to phone their GP or NHS24 (111). Public Health England (PHE) have produced advice for people who have symptoms and are self-isolating, which can be viewed on their website - www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

Inverclyde updates

The following information is updated regularly at: www.inverclyde.gov.uk/coronavirus - which also includes other useful links in relation to travel and World Health Organisation updates.

Football and sports:

The SFA and SPFL have announced the suspension of all domestic professional and grassroots football in Scotland until further notice. This affects all youth football taking place in Inverclyde. Parents/young people are encouraged to speak with their club coaches to find out how this affects any planned games or training.

While this affects official games carried out by clubs, individuals who arrange their own football or other sports activity can still book pitches through Inverclyde Leisure.

It is expected that other national sports organisations could follow this and community services will continue to liaise with them.

Notre Dame Science Fayre:

Due to the hands-on nature of the science fayre, we have taken the precautionary measure of postponing the event.

Coronavirus - Background

In late December 2019, the People's Republic of China reported an outbreak of pneumonia due to an unknown cause in Wuhan City, Hubei Province.

In early January 2020, the cause of the outbreak was identified as a new coronavirus. While early cases were likely infected by an animal source in a 'wet market' in Wuhan, ongoing human-to-human transmission is now occurring.

While there are a number of coronaviruses that are transmitted from human-to-human, which are not of public health concern, COVID-19 can cause respiratory illness of varying severity. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection with the virus.

This information sheet contains links to advice for the public on what the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is, who is at risk, and what you can do to prevent infection.

General Information

If you do not have symptoms and are looking for general information, a free helpline has been set up on 0800 028 2816.

For further information about what coronavirus is, the symptoms and how the virus spreads, please follow the local and national links on this page.

Inverclyde Council

www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus