Updated 30 June 2020
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must stay at home (self-isolate) and get a test.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this 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 (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- 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
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
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.
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.
Use the 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do.
For the latest information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the NHS website.
Learning at home
Our centres may be closed you you can keep learning with us at home. Find out more here.
