Clients: Coronavirus Policy Statement &
Business Contingency Plan

According to the NHS and the WHO, the main symptoms of the coronavirus usually include:

• A persistent cough.
• A high temperature.
• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of taste and smell.

In its early stages, these symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases, including flu and the common cold. If someone has symptoms, consider whether they have travelled outside of the country at all.

Symptoms are thought to appear between two and 10 days after contracting the virus but may be up to 24 days.

There is also good evidence, as yet unconfirmed, that the virus can be spread by asymptomatic people – that is people who carry the virus but are not yet sick.

Hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence.  You must wash your hands upon arrival at any destination immediately as well as upon departure.  

Like cold and flu bugs, the new virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes.  The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.

It follows that the single most important thing they can do to protect themselves is to keep their hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and hot water.  If no soap or hot water is available then a hand sanitising gel that is at least 60% alcohol will suffice.    

Also try to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands – something we all do unconsciously on average about 15 times an hour.

Other tips include:

• Carry a hand sanitiser with you to make frequent cleaning of hands easy. (This should be a minimum of 60% alcohol)
• Always wash hands before eating.
• Be especially careful in busy airports and other public transport systems about touching things and then touching your face.
• Carry disposable tissues, cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue carefully. (catch it, bin it, kill it)
• Do not share snacks from packets or bowls that others are dipping their fingers into.
• Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating.
• Regularly clean not just your hands but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.

Following advice from Public Health England (South West):

• Disposable cloths should be used where possible and changed after every use. 
• No mechanical cleaning equipment should be used in the household – this includes items such as hoovers, carpet cleaners and buffers. 

It is believed that in order to pass the virus from person to person, contact within 2 metres is required for a period of no less than approximately 15 minutes.

They will follow NHS advice.

They will be feeling unwell and will call in sick.

If confirmed to have COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, they will self-isolate as instructed and we will do our best to ensure that alternative measures are put in place.

(Just because a carer is displaying signs of a common cold, this does not automatically mean that they have COVID-19.)

Carer, if on duty will be immediately sent to testing site and will remain off work till results have been received, if it is positive all track and trace will be implemented and all concerned will be informed.

PPE risk assessment to be carried out at each individuals property to assess whether rubbish will be contaminated, if not will be disposed off as usual, if it is, this will be double bagged and dated, it will then be put aside for 72 hours before disposing in the general household waste

You must inform Verina Daly Care Ltd on 07515 002025 as soon as possible. This does not mean your care calls will be cancelled but will enable us to put safe working practices in place to safeguard our staff and clients.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for activities that bring you into close personal contact, such as washing and bathing, personal hygiene and contact with bodily fluids.

Aprons, gloves and fluid repellent surgical masks should be used in these situations. If there is a risk of splashing, then eye protection will minimise risk.

New PPE must be used for each episode of care. It is essential that PPE is stored within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste within the room. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in the usual household waste bin.

We are registered with NHS PPE supplies and getting regular weekly deliveries to ensure we have plenty of stock.

Use household products, such as detergents and bleach as they are effective in getting rid of viruses on surfaces. Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly.

Personal waste (for example use tissues, continence pads and other items soiled with bodily fluids) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in the usual household waste bin.

You should not shake dirty laundry. This minimises the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.

Wash items as appropriate, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items. If the individual does not have a washing machine, wait a further 72 hours after the 7-day isolation period has ended; the laundry can then be taken to a public laundrette.

Items heavily soiled with body fluids, for example, vomit or diarrhoea, or items that cannot be washed, should be disposed of, with the owner’s consent.