Coronavirus (Covid-19)

You can find the latest information on the Government website.

• Check if you have Coronavirus symptoms
• Self-isolation
• Rapid lateral flow tests
• Statutory sick pay (SSP)
• Vaccination programme
• Reading COVID-19 Outbreak Control Plan
• Working safely
• When to contact Reading borough Council

Check if you have coronavirus symptoms

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should immediately self-isolate. Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

Contact a GP or call NHS 111 if: you’re worried about your symptoms or your symptoms get worse. In an emergency, call 999.

Self-isolation

Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started. Self-isolating means staying at home. For more information visit the NHS Self-Isolation page

• Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days
• Avoiding meeting people at higher risk from COVID-19 from COVID-19 for 10 days

Check if you are eligible to order free rapid lateral flow tests

The government will no longer provide free universal testing for the general public. You can buy a COVID-19 test from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online. In England, you can order free tests if you:

• Have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatments
• You are being admitted to hospital
• Your GP or healthcare professional has recommended for you to test
• You work for the NHS in a patient-facing role or look after NHS patients in an NHS-commissioned independent healthcare provider
• You work for the NHS and have symptoms or are testing to return to work 
• You work in the adult social care sector as a personal assistant, a Shared Lives carer, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector or a social worker

Statutory sick pay (SSP)

You could get Statutory Sick Pay if you are self-isolating. Find out more on Gov.uk -Statutory Sick Pay.

Government guidance on working safely

The Government has updated its guidance on working safely during coronavirus published with detailed guidance for specific sectors.

When to get in touch with Reading Borough Council

Contact the council via cv19notifications@reading.gov.uk or 0118 937 2707:

• if you have been contacted about being a COVID-19 case or contact, and are not sure what to do
• if you think there are cases in your workplace, school, organisation or other setting
• If you have symptoms, stay home. 

The phone line will be open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Emails will be monitored between 9am and 5pm Monday – Friday. 

Coronavirus (Covid-19)