Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how you can help
Volunteer
Donations
We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support we have received from the public, local businesses and organisations. On behalf of NHS Lanarkshire, I would like to thank everyone for their generosity.
For more details about monetary donations and donating PPE and other supplies, please visit our COVID-19 donations page.
One of the key ways we can all help avoid catching and spreading infections like coronavirus is to practice good personal hygiene.
So please make sure you:
- Avoid direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Maintain good hand hygiene – washing hands with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser:
- after coughing or sneezing
- after going to the toilet
- before eating and drinking.
- Avoid direct contact with people that have a respiratory illness and avoid using their personal items such as mobile phones.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with disposable tissues and dispose of them in the nearest waste bin after use.
The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual also provides best practice guidance and information on washing your hands and using sanitiser/hand rub.
NHS 24 – How to wash your hands video
About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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 – one that had not been previously identified in humans.
While early cases were likely infected by an animal source in a ‘wet market’ in Wuhan, ongoing human-to-human transmission is now occurring. The source of infection is unknown and could still be active, and more information is needed to evaluate the full extent of this mode of transmission.
There are a number of coronaviruses that are transmitted from human-to-human which are not of public health concern. However COVID-19 can cause respiratory illness of varying severity. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection with this specific virus.
On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
