Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Latest information

Get the latest national updates and advice from:

For information on the situation in Portsmouth and changes to any services, visit:

www.portsmouth.gov.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus vaccination

Following extensive trials, we have safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 now available. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect people from coronavirus and will save thousands of lives.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is the biggest in NHS history.

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus. It’s being given to:

people aged 23 and over (including people who will turn 23 before 1 July 2021)
people who are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
people who live or work in care homes
health and social care workers
people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus
people with a learning disability

The vaccine will be offered more widely as soon as possible.

The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver the vaccine while at the same time continuing to be there for everyone who needs care. Here’s how we can help them:

Make sure you are registered with a GP practice and that they have your contact details. You can update your details through your GP’s website.
Wait for the NHS to contact you to get the vaccine. Only contact the NHS to book an appointment if you are aged 23 or over (or will turn 23 before 1 July 2021), are clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable, are an eligible frontline health or social care worker, are the main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus, or have a learning disability and haven’t had your first dose. Visit the NHS website to book or call 119 if you can’t get online.
Please attend your booked appointments at the time you’re asked to.
Please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you’ve already had your vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge on the NHS and they’ll never ask for your bank account or card details

Further information

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that might be useful for you.

You can also find more information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine.

For information on the vaccination centre at St James Hospital and the temporary changes to travel around the site to help with traffic flow visit the Portsmouth City Council news pages.

We’re aware of some reported scams relating to the COVID-19 vaccination. Find out more about how you can protect yourself.

Symptoms and testing

Do not leave home if you, or someone you live with, has any of the following:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Anyone with any of the above symptoms of coronavirus can ask for a test to check if they have the virus, including children. You should do this immediately and shouldn’t leave home except to get tested.

You should visit the NHS website to find out what you need to do. You can book a test online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

You and anyone you live with, or those in your support bubble, need to self-isolate whilst you await the result.

Support

Vulnerable residents

If you are in need of additional support during the coronavirus outbreak i.e. you are clinically vulnerable and you don’t have someone who can support you with things like getting food and medicines then HIVE Portsmouth can help. Call them on 023 9261 6709 (lines are open 9am-5pm Monday – Friday) or visit hiveportsmouth.org.uk for more information.

Wellbeing advice

Many factors can influence our physical and psychological wellbeing. There are many options available to help you keep healthy and happy if you find that you’re struggling with your mental health at the moment.

Every Mind Matters – visit the NHS Every Mind Matters website. Take the Your Mind Plan quiz  to get started today with a free plan, expert advice and practical tips.
Positive Minds is a service for anyone who is experiencing low mood, anxiety or a feeling of hopelessness. You can call 023 9282 7495 to get help from a trained Wellbeing Advisor, Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am to 4pm, or visit the Positive Minds website to find out more about the service.
Solent Mind – experienced advisers can offer support to those feeling anxious or low as well as practical guidance on keeping mentally well during isolation, visit the Solent Mind website. For out of hours support call, you can call 023 8017 9049 (Monday to Friday, 8-9am and 5-8pm, Saturday to Sunday, 9am-5pm).
NHS 111 Mental Health Triage Service – call 111 or visit the NHS 111 website.
Five steps to mental wellbeing – visit the NHS website ‘5 steps to mental wellbeing’.
If you are self-isolating – read advice from mental health charity MIND on managing your mental health in relation to coronavirus and self-isolating.

NHS Covid-19 app

The NHS has launched a free app as part of its Test and Trace service. It’s the fastest way to see if you’re at risk of coronavirus.

The app will alert you if you’ve been near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus. It also allows you to quickly check-in to venues, see if the infection rate is increasing in your local area, check symptoms and book a coronavirus test. If you need to self-isolate it will set a countdown timer.

The app tracks coronavirus and not you. It doesn’t store any personal information about you or track your location. It can’t access your phone contacts and it keeps your privacy and identity secure.

The app is available in different languages and is easy to download for free. Search ‘NHS Covid19’ where you usually get your apps from on your smartphone.

For more information including a video explaining the app visit www.covid19.nhs.uk.

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