- To find the latest health information on coronavirus please visit the NHS website (external link)
- To find the latest government guidance please visit the gov.uk website (external link)
- To find the latest information from Ealing Council, please visit the Ealing Council website (external link)
Symptoms of coronavirus
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- high temperature
- new,continuous cough
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
For more information visit NHS Choices
What to do if you need medical help
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Stay at home (self-isolate) – do not leave your home or have visitors. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also self-isolate.
- Get a test – get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, should also get a test if they have symptoms. You can request a test on the NHS website.
If you are worried about your symptoms or are not sure what to do, you can Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service, or call 111. Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
Get advice from NHS 111 if you're worried about your child or not sure what to do.
- For children aged 5 or over – use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
- For children under 5 – call 111.
For more information visit the NHS website
If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:
- For help from a GP – use your GP surgery's website, use an online service or app, or call the surgery.
- For urgent medical help – use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111 if you're unable to get help online.
- For life-threatening emergencies – call 999 for an ambulance.
Read more advice about getting medical help at home.
When your child is ill or injured it is very difficult to decide if/when to call your child’s GP, NHS 111 or go the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E).
You can read the NHS Parent's Guide - COVID-19 for guidance.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have also produced further guidance for parents/carers on what to do what to do when your child is unwell or injured during this time- View this resource
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline
The DfE have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Please see below for most recent updates.
Educational Settings Updates
From 8 March, all children and students should return to school and college. All primary pupils should attend school from this date What parents need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please see below letters to parents/carers about the return to school on 8th March which provides further information as well as new updates on what will be in place:
Until 8th March, during the national lockdown, schools and colleges should only allow vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend. All other pupils and students should learn remotely. Nurseries and childminders (including maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in schools) should stay open and allow children to attend their usual hours.
Free COVID-19 test for residents without symptoms
Free COVID-19 test for residents without symptoms
Residents can now get a free coronavirus test in Ealing, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
To find out more and to book a slot please visit the Ealing Council website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Ealing Council
If you have symptoms:
If you, or anyone in your household, develop symptoms - a new, continuous cough; high temperature; loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - you must all stay at home and self-isolate immediately and the person with symptoms must book a test online on nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
WhatsApp and social media misinformation: Coronavirus Act
We have been made aware of rumours circulating on social media which suggest that, under the Coronavirus Act, school children displaying COVID-19 symptoms can be taken and detained by the state in a government testing centre and held for 14 days, plus tested without parental consent, according to a letter from the Children’s Commissioner.
Please be aware that these rumours are not true. Screening or assessing a child can only take place in the presence of carer, parent or guardian.
If your child displays symptoms it is very important that they get a test and that they do not go to school or nursery so that they don’t make any other children unwell. If they become unwell at school, you will be contacted, asked to remove them from school and advised to take them for a test.
For more information please see the flowchart for parents and carers which advises you on what steps to take if your child displays symptoms.
You can also visit our Return to School page for tips on supporting your child's return to school.
Holiday playschemes, after school clubs and other out of-school settings
During the February Half Term, in accordance with latest government guidance, holiday provision will only be open to vulnerable children and children of key worker parents.
We have compiled a list of playschemes who have confirmed they will be operating below.
February Half Term Holiday Playscheme List
Latest government guidance: Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For further information, advice and guidance please contact the Family Information Service
Tel: 020 8825 5588
Email: children@ealing.gov.uk
Resources for parents/carers
We have compiled some resources which you may find useful, including how you can speak to children about coronavirus , educational activities and more. Visit our Coronavirus- useful resources page.
Updates to services and support during COVID-19
We have compiled all the information we've received about changes to services for children, young people and families during the COVID-19 situation. Visit our Updates to services and support during COVID-19 page.
Food Banks, Food Distribution Services & Food Bank Collections
We have compiled all the information we have on local food banks and food collections points. Visit the Food Banks, Food Distribution Services & Food Bank Collections page for more infomation.
Where to find latest information
Gov.uk Updates on COVID-19:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Ealing Council Updates (includes information on local testing, government updates and support for residents and businesses)
https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201262/coronavirus_covid-19
NHS Updates on COVID-19 including symptoms, self isolation, testing and tracing:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19:
Staying Alert and Safe (Social Distancing) Guidance
Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Education and Childcare- Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
What parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
Guidance on schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision
Guidance for further education and skills providers on maintaining provision
Guidance for parents and carers covering changes to after-school clubs, holiday clubs, tuition, community activities and other out-of-school settings for children and young people over the age of 5 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Information in other languages
All pages on this directory can be accessed in other languages using the Google Translate option on the top right hand side of this page (this does not include any downloadable attachments).
Doctors of the World have produced information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for patients in 60 languages, which were produced in partnership with the British Red Cross.
COVID-19 Infographics- infographics to help summarise key points about COVID-19 in a variety of languages to get the right information in an easy to understand format. Languages availableinclude Punjabi,Somali, Arabic, Polish and more.
You may also find the information you are looking for on the Ealing Council website, also available in multiple languages