Coronavirus update: 20 May 2020

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Coronavirus

20 May 2020   

Coronavirus symptoms updated  

Covid symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus have been updated to include loss or change to sense of smell or taste. The main symptoms are: 

High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) 

New, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual) 

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.  

Anyone experiencing any of these coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate for seven days to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. 

If the symptomatic person lives with others, those members of the household should stay home for 14 days even if they do not have symptoms.  

This updated information recognises that not everyone has the same symptoms of coronavirus. Some people may lose their sense of smell or taste with or without having fever and cough as other symptoms. 

You can Check the NHS website for further information, advice and what to do if you show symptoms 


Mobile test centre available in Isleworth this weekend 

coronavirus testing

The mobile coronavirus test centres will be available again this weekend 

When: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 10.30am-3.30pm  

WhereGrasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN.  

There is a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments available.  

Tests should be taken within five days of developing symptoms as this is when the test is most accurate.  

Testing for key workers and their families:   

Symptomatic people who are key workers, those who cannot work from home and, people over 65, and members of their households are able to get tested for coronavirus and can book an appointment via the self-referral portal 

Testing for members of the public: 

The government has now extended its testing programme to include any members of the public aged 5 and over. Please register via the NHS website

Once you register and book your appointment via the self-referral portal or NHS website you will receive a 16-digit code text message. At the testing site, you will need to show your 16-digit code text message to staff members as confirmation for the test.

If you have any difficulty or any questions about testing, please email publichealth@hounslow.gov.uk 


Community Hub continues to deliver for vulnerable residents

Community Hub collage

Our Council staff are continuing to work hard to keep delivering services and protect our most vulnerable and isolated residents. Our Community Hub, set up to ensure our most vulnerable residents get the food, supplies and support they need, has now contacted 10,165 ‘shielded’ residents and delivered 4,359 food packages in less than 2 months.   

We are continuing to increase the range of food, household goods and support it can offer, and we’re finding more and more jobs for the 400+ residents who have volunteered to join the effort.  

Working with voluntary and community partners, businesses and local volunteers, the Hub is connecting people with each other and most importantly providing the vital support to reach those most in need.   

The Hub can be contacted on 020 7084 9697 or email hub@hounslow.gov.uk.  


Extended opening of schools for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 Pupils from 1 June 2020  

school

Following the announcement that the Government intends for schools to extend their opening to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils only from 1 June 2020, please see the statement from Councillor Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth & Children’s Services.   

We will be supporting schools to make the necessary arrangements so that they can open safely and as soon as possible for these year groups, in addition to the vulnerable children and children of key workers that they already have attending. Schools will be contacting parents regarding their individual arrangements and we will update this page with information about which schools will be open as soon as we have further information. 


Use transport network sensibly, if necessary  

TFL

In line with government advice, everyone who can work from home should continue to do so. Public transport should be avoided, wherever possible, to free up the limited space available to those who have no alternative way to travel. If you must travel, please plan ahead and travel outside of the busiest times, particularly first thing in the morning. 

The busiest times on the network are 5.45 to 8.15am and 4 to 5.30pm in the afternoon. Transport for London (TfL) are asking Londoners to travel outside these times if they possibly can.   

TfL has produced a list of the busiest times and places on their tube and rail network. This list and the busiest times might change over time.  

TfL has also updated its digital tools such as journey planner, and the real-time data they provide to third party apps.  

If using the transport network,stay two metres from others if possible, wear a face covering and respect the space of fellow passengers.  

Do not travel if you have any symptoms of coronavirus.   


Mental Health Awareness Week -the power of kindness

MHAW

Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. Kindness has been flourishing during the lockdown, for example Captain Tom walking for the NHS and communities pulling together to help neighbours. Kindness and mental health are deeply connected.  

The coronavirus outbreak means that life is changing for all of us for a while. It may cause people to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated. It's important to remind people it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most people, these difficult feelings will pass. Kindness can help during these times by reducing isolation and stress.   

Join in with Mental Health Awareness week by sharing your story or pictures (with permission) of kindness using #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #LoveHounslow. 


Increase your activity levels for improved mental wellbeing 

staying active

The charity Mind is encouraging people to stay active at home and outdoors, to boost mood and mental wellbeing. They have produced a A-Z list of activities to help you stay active at home and outdoors. There is something for everyone at all levels and many are equipment free. You could even use household items as weights, if you would like more of a challenge. 

Find out more about the A-Z activities here.  

They also have a list of resources on their website packed with different ideas on how to stay active at home and look after your mental wellbeing.       


Try out the Good Thinking app

Good thinking

Thrive LDN is coordinating the London-wide public mental health response to coronavirus to support the mental health and resilience of Londoners during and after the pandemic. 

Good Thinking, London’s digital mental wellbeing support service, has formed a significant component of this response. 

You can find out more about Good Thinking if you watch their short video. 


Let’s see your heart on hand photo to support victims of domestic abuse

The coronavirus pandemic is presenting very challenging circumstances for people living through domestic abuse and we want victims of domestic abuse to know they are not alone.  

We are encouraging everyone to show their support and solidarity for victims of abuse during these difficult times by drawing a heart on the palm of the hand and sharing this on your social media using the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone. Help us make this collage pictured below bigger! 

Please mention @LBofHounslow  on Twitter and/or Facebook and we will share your pictures on our social media channels in one big collage!  Let’s stand together and remind those affected by abuse that we are here and there is no excuse for abuse! 

Remember our message to anyone facing domestic abuse is really simple:  

We are still here and we are still able to help you.  

If you are not safe at home, social isolation does not mean that you cannot leave. 

Our specialist domestic and sexual violence service for Hounslow is still open (they can be contacted on 07810 031780 (Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and we have developed new ways of working to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Download and/or share our safety card  with friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues and for more support and advice please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/dvinfo  

Anyone in immediate risk of danger call 999. If it is not safe to speak then you should use the silent solutions service by dialling 999 and press 55 and the police will know this is related to a domestic incident and will be able to help you.  

heart on hand collage

BBC presenters share messages in many languages 

Languages

To support some of the country's diverse communities, TV and radio presenters have recorded messages in multiple Asian languages to help people protect themselves and others from coronavirus. 

The videos aim to support people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds by informing them of the latest guidelines. So far, messages have been released in Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Sylheti, Gujurati and Tamil.  

If you know someone in the borough who may feel more comfortable hearing these messages in their native language, please do share.  


Support for London based businesses and employers 

London Growth Hub

The London Growth Hub has launched a new portal to support London-based businesses and employers to manage and mitigate their exposure to coronavirus. 

You can now book an appointment with a London Growth Hub Adviser to help you find the right support for your business. London based businesses will be able to access free virtual support from our team of dedicated advisers. 

Read more here 


Finding live and on-demand activity classes   

home online exercise classes

To help Londoners find the best live and on-demand activity classes available during the coronavirus pandemic, London Sport have worked with Played and imin to update the Get Active activity finder website so that Londoners can now search for the right activities for them.  

They have worked on identifying activities suitable for older adults and those with health conditions to make it easy as possible for all Londoners to find the right things at the right times for them.  

The UK Deaf Sport have also compiled list of resources and fun ideas for anyone that is deaf and would like to take part in physical activities at home.   


London Sport new resources for instructors, coaches and sport clubs   

London Sport

A series of new technological and digital developments have been launched in the past month to help support the community physical activity and sport sector to adapt to the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.  

You can access the resources and guides here


Pitching up  

football pitch

Football Association, the Premier League, the Government and Sport England have jointly launched a ‘Pitch Preparation Fund’.  

It is to support grassroots clubs facing challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The £9.5m fund will help them get ready for when football returns.  

It is open to football clubs and voluntary organisations that maintain their own natural grass pitches and have at least 12 months’ security of tenure.  

Clubs with suitable tenure who have a 3G artificial grass pitch are also eligible to apply.  

Find out more here. 


A poem by a student from Grove Primary school  

A year 6 student from Grove Primary school has written a beautiful poem to express their creativity, feelings about their current experience, challenges and positivity during this pandemic. Below is the poem and we hope it inspires you to get creative with writing.  

Poem

Online resources for health, education and wellbeing 

New for adults, young people, children and families;  

Better on demand provides access to workouts for free on the Better UK app, available from the Apple or Google Play stores. Enter BETTERFREE as the Club Access Code, club ref: Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub.

Joe Wicks  also known as the Body Coach or, the nation’s PE teacher, is now offering virtual classes for seniors on his YouTube channel.

Make Movement your Mission designed by Later Life Training, includes a series of short online regular movement sessions done either in a chair or standing holding onto a support.

Mind’s guide for young people is available with information for young people who are worried about coronavirus and want to know how to cope with changes to their lives.

Sport Impact works with schools across Hounslow to give pupils the best opportunities in PE, Sport and Health, as well as encouraging Leadership and Volunteering. The team have created some Stay at Home Challenges to support learning whilst in the home.

OurParks coaches Ange and Premika are encouraging exercise at home and workout sessions via their facebook or YouTube channel. Why not try Saturday 10am Live HIIT Workout.

Brentford  FC Community Sports Trust  have some great free fitness sessions for Hounslow residents including Pilates, Yoga and chair based exercise for over 60s, all part of their #BeeeatHome campaign.

Visit oneyouhounslow.org for more support and information.


Latest information and advice

If you think you know someone who’d like to receive this e-newsletter, forward it on and they can subscribe here. 

The Council has a coronavirus advice webpage which is updated daily with the latest local information for residents and businesses. 

Advice in accessible formats and different languages

You can also follow us on social media using the links below. 

The latest information on coronavirus in general is available on the Government’s website. 

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