Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. To reduce the risk to the public, the NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public.
Your NHS is still here for you
It is hugely important that people remember to seek medical care when they need it. While access has changed, services are still here when you need them. We’ve launched a local campaign to remind people to seek medical care when necessary, particularly those that are struggling with life changing and life threatening illnesses.
Click the button below to find out how you can get medical help when you need it. Please don’t put it off; this could have life or limb-threatening consequences.
New walk-to testing centre
A new COVID-19 walk-to testing facility has opened for people living or working within walking distance of the Bridge Street Community Centre, Rider Street, in the LS9 7BQ postcode area of Leeds. The walk-to testing centre is a pilot being led by the Department for Health and Social Care.
The centre is open to everyone in the area who is COVID-19 symptomatic, lives or works within walking distance of the site and does not have access to a car. Tests are only available by pre-booking and people have to walk to the site. No car parking is available. An information leaflet is available here.
This easy read information leaflet explains how you can book an appointment at the walk-to community testing centre
To book a test people should call the Leeds City Council helpline number on 0113 376 0472. Line open 9am-5pm, seven days a week except on Wednesday when it’s 10am-5pm. This helpline is only for this walk-to facility. For any other testing sites / home testing kits please use existing processes.
Other options for testing
For anyone wanting to use a testing facility that you can drive to or to order a home testing kit please use the NHS online booking system or call 119.
Apply for a coronavirus test on GOV.UK if you:
- are an essential worker, including NHS or social care staff
- are asking for tests for the residents and staff of your care home
- have a verification code from your employer
Find out more about NHS Test and Trace.
Coronavirus symptoms
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days. Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.
How long do you need to stay at home?
- If you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
- If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
- If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
- If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
For all the latest updates and advice around coronavirus please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Getting support if you’re self isolating
If you are self-isolating and you do not have friends or family nearby who can help, phone the Leeds City Council Helpline on 0113 378 1877 (7 days a week, 9am to 6pm). Volunteers are available to help with shopping and transport to medical appointments. Phone support is also available to check how you are.
Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
Reducing your risk – social distancing and hand washing
To help reduce yours and others’ risk of catching and or spreading coronavirus you should:
- Only go out if absolutely necessary (e.g. essential shopping, one form of exercise per day, medical requirement, travelling to and from work where this cannot be done from home). If you need to go out, make sure to keep 2 metres apart from others when you’re out and about.
- Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together
- Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch by by using other options such as phone, internet and social media.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
What to do if you’re shielding
For the latest advice for patients who are shielding please visit the Gov.uk website.
Information correct on 4 May 2020
Some people are at higher risk of life-threatening complications than others. People in this category should have been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks (shielding). Everyone in this category should be avoiding any unnecessary social interaction. That means no socialising with people you do not live with.
The advice and guidance for those who are shielding is as follows:
- You should not leave the house for shopping or leisure, including going for a walk.
- Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
- If you live with someone who is shielding with you, you can have contact with them inside the house as long as they do not have any symptoms.
- If you live with other people who leave the house at all, you should:
- Minimise the time you spend with them.
- Keep at least 2 metres from them.
- Avoid using the kitchen when they are there and keep your own separate crockery and cutlery.
- Have your meals in your room where possible.
- Use separate towels and if possible a separate bathroom from them.
- If you have carers coming in to provide essential services, they can continue to do so. However, they will should be practicing strict hygiene.
For the latest advice for patients who are shielding please visit the Gov.uk website.
If someone you know is in hospital
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to visit them, unless there are exceptional circumstances, please check the latest advice on hospital visiting from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Letters to loved ones
To help with the impact of suspended visiting times, an email address has been created for families to send messages to their loved ones who are in hospital.
Emails can be sent to leedsth-tr.letterstolovedones@nhs.net where the Patient Experience Team will print them, pop them in an envelope and deliver them, along with the help of their volunteers.
Visit the LTHT Patient Experience page for updates and more information.