Skip to main content

DS Risk Warning: Health

By

DS Risk Warning: Health

Confidential
x
Priority


Hello all,

It is apparent, from the emails and calls received from you, that you won't escape anything from worrying disengagement from the issues around Coronavirus through to total overreaction and panic.

The World Health Organisation has now declared a Global Health Emergency. The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is "an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease". It has previously declared five global public health emergencies: 

"The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.

At least 213 people in the China have died from the virus, mostly in Hubei, with almost 10,000 cases nationally. The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths. Most international cases are in people who had been to Wuhan in Hubei. However in eight cases - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States - patients were infected by people who had travelled to China.

China has also introduced port-of-exit screening so people already exhibiting symptoms are not allowed to leave the country.

Britain has raised its risk level to MODERATE from LOW. People who fly into airports here from affected areas are being checked out. Those being repatriated from Wuhan will be isolated on their return on the unlikely risk analysis that they may have the virus but not yet be displaying symptoms.

The advice remains for others returning from/coming here from China to self isolate for 14 days. You should seek reassurance that has happened in any cases applicable to you. The advice on the Public Health England website follows. Beware common sense is mentioned. As you know I rant that there is no such thing!:

We are asking people to take simple, common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible, like they would with other flu viruses. This means remaining at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan and not going to work, school or public areas. Where possible, you should avoid having visitors to your home, but it’s ok for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.

Transport
You should not use public transport or taxis until 14 days after your return from Wuhan.

Getting food and medicine
We recommend that you stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan, and avoid public places. Where possible, contact a friend, family member or delivery services to carry out errands on your behalf.

Taking children to school
We recommend that you stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan, and avoid public places. Where possible, contact a friend or family member to take your children to school.

DS say this seems to be written on the basis the children haven't returned from there. If they have the advice is applicable to them.

Why the advice has changed
This is an evolving situation and the advice has changed based on emerging information from China about the number of cases and spread of the infection from person to person.

This is a highly precautionary measure to limit the potential spread of infection.

If you develop symptoms
If you develop a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or difficulty breathing, you should continue to follow the advice above. Please do not leave your home until you have been given advice by a clinician.

Travel advice
Please visit the Foreign Office site: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china

More as we see it will follow.

Bill

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DS Risk Warning: UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ following Vienna attack

By
  Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed the escalation of the UK terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe" following an attack in Vienna that left at least three dead. The change means that an attack on UK soil is now deemed "highly likely". The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The potential is for UK based 'lone wolfs' to be emboldened to take action themselves which could take place anywhere in the UK. We are asked to continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact MI5 . What the threat levels mean: Threat levels are designed to give a broad indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack. LOW means an attack is highly unlikely MODERATE ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Delegated Services Risk Warning: Weather; Wind

By
  Hello all, The Met Office have just issued the following regarding the next named storm Isha: Amber warning for South West England Wind Between 18:00 (UTC) on Sun 21 Jan 2024 and  09:00 (UTC) on Mon 22 Jan 2024 This covers the following parts of our operational area: Bristol ,  North Somerset ,  Somerset ,  South Gloucestershire  and Monmouthshire. The boundary is inevitably fluid and adjoining areas will obviously experience challenging conditions too. Storm Isha will bring a spell of very strong winds during Sunday evening into Monday. Disruption to travel and utilities is likely. What to expect * Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected * Some roads and bridges likely to close * Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs * There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage * Injuries and dange...
Post a Comment
Read more

Delegated Services Risk Warning: Weather; Wind - Storm Darragh

By
  The Met Office have upgraded the warning for tomorrow as follows: Red weather warning issued  Strong and damaging winds across parts of Wales and southwest England  Saturday 0300 – 1100 Our advice changes in such circumstances to, do all you can today, but any checking approach during the day tomorrow should only be considered in extremis in the red zone and very carefully indeed risk assessed. Beware too the boundaries are changing of the zones, as more data comes in. Checks may need to wait until Sunday. NB: Many are postponing anything planned for tomorrow to allow safety at home in the red zone and extreme caution in the amber. This needs to apply to your sites. We aren't aware from our systems, at present, of any education visit/DofE activities, but obviously these need to be reconsidered. Met Office Chief Forecaster, Jason Kelly, said:  “The worst impacts from Storm Darragh will be felt as we go through the early hours of tomorrow morning and throughout Satur...
Post a Comment
Read more