Coronavirus (COVID 19) Outbreak

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a grave impact on our health and daily life as we know it. The government has decided that the single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. In response, Anderson Eye Care in conjunction with Nuffield Health have decided to temporarily suspend all eye-related clinical and surgical activities.

Once the government revises its guidance, we will be able resume activities. We will be keeping this page updated with relevant dates.

Please check back often to stay informed. Last updated: 24th March 2020.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why the government is introducing three new measures.

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

You should only leave the house for 1 of 4 reasons:

• shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
• one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
• any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
• travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

The Anderson Eye Care medical team would like to update you on how to avoid catching, spreading and dealing with this viral infection.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect the airways and lungs; it is caused by a coronavirus. Coronaviruses belong to a family of viruses that cause airway (respiratory) infections. The SARS outbreak in 2003 was caused by such a virus. These viruses are thought to originate from animals.

Symptoms of coronavirus infection are identical to those of the common cold or flu. They include a sore throat with a cough, fever (more than 37.8 ^OC) and malaise. In more severe cases, pneumonia (infection of the lungs) can develop making it difficult to breathe. Severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute kidney injury and multiple organ failure can also develop in a minority of cases. Patients with pre-existing diabetes and heart, kidney or chest conditions are more at risk of developing severe forms of the condition.

Coronaviruses typically spread via cough droplets when one coughs or sneezes. The droplets can then be inhaled by someone in close proximity or the viruses can live on surfaces where the droplets have landed.

How to Avoid Catching or Spreading It

The National Health Service and World Health Organisation provide advice on how to avoid catching or spreading COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• Only travel on public transport if you need to
• Work from home, if you can
• Avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
• Avoid events with large groups of people
• DO NOT touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Stay at home if you have coronavirus like symptoms:

• If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started
• If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
• Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• Your condition gets worse
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

We hope that you have found this information useful and please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. In times like these, we need to stick together.

With best wishes,

Mr David Anderson (Consultant Ophthalmologist)