Staying at home information and support

Information

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People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections. COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people.

Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people.

What to do if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and have not taken a COVID-19 test

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Try to stay at home until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you no longer feel unwell.

It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they are infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.

Try to work from home if you can. If you are unable to work from home, talk to your employer about options available to you.

If you have been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, contact your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms.

You may wish to ask friends, family or neighbours to get food and other essentials for you.

If you leave your home

If you leave your home while you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and you have a high temperature or feel unwell, avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.

The following actions will reduce the chance of passing on your infection to others:

  • wearing a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask
  • avoiding crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings, or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated
  • taking any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
  • covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your face

Reduce the spread of infection in your household

While you are unwell there is a high risk of passing your infection to others in your household. These are simple things you can do to help prevent the spread:

  • try to keep your distance from people you live with
  • in shared areas wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask, especially if you live with people whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination
  • ventilate rooms you have been in by opening windows and leaving them open for at least 10 minutes after you have left the room
  • wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
  • regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms
  • advise anyone that does need to come into your home that you have symptoms, so they can take precautions to protect themselves such as wearing a well-fitting face covering or a surgical face mask, keeping their distance if they can, and washing their hands regularly

GermDefence is a website that can help you identify simple ways to protect yourself and others in your household from COVID-19 and other viruses. People who use GermDefence are less likely to catch flu and other infections and are less likely to spread them at home.

There is further guidance on protecting yourself and others in living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

What to do if you are a close contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19

People who live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 are at the highest risk of becoming infected because they are most likely to have prolonged close contact. People who stayed overnight in the household of someone with COVID-19 while they were infectious are also at high risk.

If you are a household or overnight contact of someone who has had a positive COVID -19 test result, it can take up to 10 days for your infection to develop. It is possible to pass on COVID-19 to others, even if you have no symptoms.

You can reduce the risk to other people by taking the following steps:

  • avoid contact with anyone you know who is at higher risk of becoming severely unwell if they are infected with COVID-19, especially those whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, despite vaccination
  • limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
  • wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask if you do need to have close contact with other people, or you are in a crowded place
  • wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitiser

If you develop symptoms of a respiratory infection try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people and follow the guidance for people with symptoms.

If you are a contact of someone with COVID-19 but do not live with them or did not stay in their household overnight, you are at lower risk of becoming infected. There is guidance on protecting yourself and others in living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

Children and young people aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result

It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.

If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.

Supporting you to stay at home

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There are a number of ways you can be supported while you stay at home. You may need help accessing food while you cannot leave your home, or may need some financial assistance.

I need practical support like shopping

Trafford's community hubs can help you while you stay at home. They can help with essentials like accessing food and medication.

Find out more about what support the Trafford community response hubs can help with.

You can call the Community Response Line on 0808 278 7803.

I am living with domestic abuse

 If you are living with domestic abuse please contact Trafford Domestic Abuse Services. If your life is in danger call 999. 

I need help caring for someone

If you usually care for someone and cannot because you are staying at home please get in touch with us. Please contact Trafford Carers Centre by calling 0161 848 2400 or visiting their website. If you think you need substantial support caring for someone, contact the Council's adult care team.

I need mental health support

There are a number of mental health services in our borough and you can find more details of these services online.

You can call the Greater Manchester mental health helpline on 0800 953 0285. The phoneline is open to everyone and can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I want to keep my body active

Sport England has advice and guidance on how to get active in and around your home. Visit the Sport England website to find out about the online options available. 

I want to keep my mind active

If you would like to keep in touch with someone on the phone, please ask your local hub about a befriending service. 

Our library service has a number of things you can access online including books, audiobooks and newspapers. More information can be found on our e-library webpage.

Financial support 

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Benefits and grants

There are also benefits and grants that you could claim if you are unable to work, if your household’s financial circumstances qualify. You can find out more information on benefits on the Citizens Advice website.

Trafford community hubs

You can also be supported by Trafford’s community hubs. The hubs can help with affordability and access to things like food and fuel. 

Find out more on how to access the Trafford community response hubs.