People suffering from the coronavirus are being advised to self-isolate to prevent the Covid-19 virus from spreading further. 

Who needs to self isolate?

Anybody who feels there is a chance that they could have contracted coronavirus needs to self-isolate, before calling 111 for advice.

The Government have also announced that they will begin to ask those over 70 to self-isolate. 

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Isolation for over-70s 'within weeks' 

Perhaps it is an obvious statement, but you should self-isolate yourself in your own home and you should stay there for the duration of your quarantine.

This means you shouldn't go to work, school or public areas, and not use any public transport or taxis.

But you're advised to try to avoid visitors to your home, though it is OK for friends and family or delivery drivers to drop off food and other supplies.

What if you share a home?

Self-isolating can be very difficult if you live with others. Advice has urged people to cook for yourself, do so, if possible, when others are not in the kitchen – and take food back to your room to eat. If you have more than one bathroom in your home, use a separate one.

Try if you can to stay in one room, with the door closed – ideally a room that has a window to the outside that you can open.

Don’t share crockery, cutlery, glasses, bedding or towels with anyone in your home when you have used them

Wash your hands

In a bid to prevent coronavirus wash your hands often and thoroughly, using soap and water, for 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explaining they usually cause “mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses”, like the common cold.

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This particular strain originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, the largest city in central China, and is in the same family as SARS and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome).

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a cough
  • a high temperature
  • shortness of breath
  • But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
  • The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.