COVID-19 - guidance for Health Protection Teams (HPTs)

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Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. Clinical presentation may range from mild-to-moderate illness to pneumonia or severe acute respiratory infection. Because of this, patients with COVID-19 could present to primary care either via telephone or in person.  

It has been announced by the UK/Scottish Government that as of 16 March anyone developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, however mild, should stay at home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms as per existing advice.  In addition, it is now recommended that anyone living in the same household as a symptomatic person should self-isolate for 14 days.

Information on COVID-19, including stay at home advice for people who are self-isolating and their households, can be found on NHS Inform.

Further, people are advised to take social distancing measures to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.In particular, this is strongly advised for people aged 70 or over, people with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women. Further advice on these measures will be available on NHS Inform​. ​

Please note that this is an evolving situation and the most up to date guidance should always be checked on our COVID-19 page​.