Worthing councillors address coronavirus social media ‘misinformation’

We are writing to correct some misinformation that has recently been spread around testing for Covid, writes Labour councillors Carl Walker (Sugden Road, Worthing) and Sally Smith (Thorn Road, Worthing).
Tangmere coronavirus testing facility. Pic by Steve RobardsTangmere coronavirus testing facility. Pic by Steve Robards
Tangmere coronavirus testing facility. Pic by Steve Robards

A social media page advocated that people stop being tested on the grounds that this would stop a winter lockdown as a result of there being insufficient numbers of positive cases.

This advice is dangerous and wrong. It is more important than ever now that we follow the right medical advice. Only today it was confirmed that the number of Covid cases confirmed in the UK has increased by 3,899 in the space of 24 hours, with hospital admissions relating to Covid-19 doubling every eight days. So, with this in mind, the latest guidance is as follows:

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If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you should arrange a test by visiting NHS.UK, or contact 119 via telephone if you do not have internet access. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. We appreciate that the testing system in the country is a long way from adequate but if you can get a test then please do so.

If you receive a positive coronavirus (Covid-19) test result, or you develop Covid symptoms, however mild, you should immediately self-isolate. Stay at home for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.

If you live with others, all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the household became ill or if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken.

As well as these testing and isolation practices above, we urge people to limit Covid numbers by staying at least 2m apart from others, regular hand washing and wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces.

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The more we do these, the more lives we will save in Worthing over the winter.

The response of Worthing’s residents and key workers to lockdown earlier this year was truly amazing and showed our town at its very best. If called upon to show similar levels of community spirit, fortitude and compassion again this winter then we have no doubt that our town will rise to the challenge. But in the meantime let’s do everything we possibly can to avoid this eventuality.

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