Update - Coronavirus

Please see current updated advise from Public Health England in regards patients with respiratory infections who have arrived from overseas. 

It is essential that an accurate travel history is obtained from all patients with acute respiratory infections, using any one of the following: cough, fever or shortness of breath to help identify potential cases. 

If you have returned from the specific areas in the last 14 days, you should call NHS111 and self isolate even if you do not have symptoms: 

• Iran
• Specific lockdown area in Northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy
• Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea 
• Hubei Province 

If you have returned from this areas in last 14 days and develop symptoms, however mild, you should self isolate at home immediately and call NHS111. You do not need to self isolate if you have no symptoms. 

• Italy (the whole country, except areas which are listed above) 
• China (expect Hubei province which is listed above)
• Hong Kong 
• Macau 
• Taiwan
• Japan
• Malaysia 
• Republic of Korea (except area which are listed above)
• Singapore
• Thailand 
• Vietnam
• Cambodia 
• Laos 
• Myanmar 

Those who have returned from previously identified geographic areas within the past 14 days and develop symptoms, however mild, should self-isolate at home immediately and call NHS111.

Local pathways are being established, working with NHS 111 to assess returning travellers from these areas and develop community pathways for individuals who are clinically stable and meet the clinical and geographic components of the case definition.

We recommend that travellers with a fever returning from these countries should still have a clinical assessment in order to assess for other important diseases, using appropriate PPE if carrying out a face-to-face consultation. 

The attached pathway outlines the initial assessment questions to identify a patient who may require isolation and testing. All healthcare providers should make arrangements for such patients to be identified immediately and isolated according to the PHE guidance. The current patient pathway is for assessment using safe ways of working, agreed by the NHS, followed by testing and a period of isolation (at home, in hospital, respite) whilst awaiting the results and for certain high risk geographic areas until 14 days after their return.