1. I am worried that I have contracted Covid-19. What should I do?

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Description 

• Get a test done if you are displaying coronavirus symptoms. Leave your house only to get tested - stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result. Inform those in your household and support bubble, and they must self-isolate as well.

 

Link(s)

• To find out more about getting tested: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/  

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ 

 

Important Note

• Please inform the President of your Singapore Society / The UKSSC if you are displaying symptoms; are at risk of contracting the virus; or have contracted the virus. You may reach out to the UKSSC via president@theukssc.co.uk

• You will only be allowed to get tested if you claim that you are displaying symptoms, although whether you actually have symptoms will probably not be verified prior to testing.

 

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2. Am I eligible to get tested? When and how should I get a test kit?

 

Description

• Get tested as soon as possible if you are displaying coronavirus symptoms (i.e. a high temperature; a new continuous cough; loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) and do so within the first 8 days of having them. You may book a visit to a test site or order a home test kit. If you have not been tested by the 8th day of having symptoms, you should go directly to a test site as it is too late to order a home test kit. 

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Link(s)

• To order an online test kit: https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/antigen/name

• www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

 

Important Note

• Please inform the President of your Singapore Society / The UKSSC if you are displaying symptoms; are at risk of contracting the virus; or have contracted the virus. You may reach out to the UKSSC via president@theukssc.co.uk

• You will only be allowed to get tested if you claim that you are displaying symptoms, although whether you actually have symptoms will probably not be verified prior to testing.

 

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3. Someone I came into close contact with has contracted Covid-19. What should I do?

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Description

• According to NHS guidelines, you are only required by the NHS to self-isolate if…

  • the person you came into close contact with is from your support bubble or lives in the same household as you

  • you have been told to do so by the Test and Trace Service

• You should continue to monitor yourself for flu-like symptoms (refer to Questions 1 & 2)

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/ 

 

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4. When am I to self-isolate?

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Description

• You must self-isolate if...

  • you have any symptoms of coronavirus

  • you've tested positive for coronavirus – this means you have coronavirus

  • you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive

  • someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive

  • you're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app

  • you arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk 

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/ 

• On UK Covid-19 travel corridors: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors

 

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5. For how long should I self-isolate?

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Description

• If you have symptoms or tested positive: 10 days 

• If you have symptoms, the 10 days starts from when your symptoms started

• If you do not have symptoms, the 10 days starts from when you had the test. But if you get symptoms after your test, self-isolate for a further 10 days from when your symptoms start

 

• You may stop self-isolating after 10 days if…

  • You do not have any symptoms, or

  • if you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste (according to the NHS, these can last for weeks after being clear of the infection)

 

• Please continue self-isolating after 10 days if the following symptoms persist, and only stop when they have gone:

  • a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery

  • a runny nose or sneezing

  • feeling or being sick

  • diarrhoea (If you have diarrhoea or you are being sick, stay at home until 48 hours after they've stopped.)

 

• If you someone from your support bubble/someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive: 14 days

• The 14 days starts from when the first person in your home or support bubble started having symptoms

• The day they were tested, if they have not had symptoms - but if they get symptoms after they were tested, self-isolate for a further 14 days when their symptoms start

 

• You may stop self-isolating after 14 days if you do not get any symptoms. Please continue self-isolating and get a test if you get symptoms.

• If your test is negative, please continue to self-isolate for the rest of the 14 days

• If your test is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. This might mean you're self-isolating for longer than 14 days overall

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/ 

 

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6. How should I self-isolate?

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Description

• Do not leave your home

• Do not go to public places 

• Do not use public transport or take taxis

• Do not go out to get food or medicine - order it online

• Do not accept visitors into your home, including friends or family - except for people providing essential care

• Do not go out to exercise

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/ 

 

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7. My symptoms are worsening, what should I do?

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Description

• Seek medical care if your symptoms worsen. 

• Use the NHS 111 Service (Non-Emergency Hotline) if

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

  • you feel breathless and it’s getting worse

  • your symptoms get worse and you’re not sure what to do

 

• And Call 999 (Emergency Hotline) if you or someone you care about

  • are struggling to breathe

  • are coughing up blood

  • have blue lips or a blue face

  • feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin

  • have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it

  • collapse or faint

  • become confused or very drowsy

  • have stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual

  • Tell the operator you might have coronavirus symptoms.

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/what-to-do-if-symptoms-get-worse/ 

 

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8. I am experiencing symptoms again. What should I do?

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Description

• You should take the same steps that you did when you first experienced symptoms. Get a test done. Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result and leave your house only to get tested. Everyone in your household and support bubble must self-isolate. Do not leave your house.

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/what-to-do-if-you-get-symptoms-again/ 

 

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9. NHS advice on how to avoid getting infected with Covid-19

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Description

• Do:

  • Social distancing - In Singapore, social distancing refers to keeping one-metre between you and other people. The UK recommends staying at least two metres away from other individuals

  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds

  • Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home

  • Wear a face covering or mask in crowded places

  • Minimise going out unnecessarily

 

• Do not:

  • Meet in groups of more than six people, either outside or inside (including your own home)

  • Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean or washed

  • Touch things that people you do not live with have touched, especially food and drinks

  • Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean or washed

 

• Please note that guidance may differ depending on your area of residence. Do familiarise yourselves with the guidelines in your area.

 

Link(s)

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/ 

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10. General advice from the Singapore High Commission

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• Students can contact SHC for advice via email

• Students can call the SHC emergency hotline for urgent matters: +44 (0)7710 348 335

• Students should remember to follow: 

  • University guidance 

  • Local guidance 

  • UK guidance 

  • and not run afoul of the law. Your personal safety and well-being are of paramount importance and remember that prevention is better than cure!

• Students should keep in contact with their Singapore Society for peer support

• Students should keep their families updated on the situation and your individual wellbeing and remain contactable.

• Note: It is also of incredible importance to stay connected and to be aware of the various support channels offered by the NHS, SHC, SGN and the UKSSC. Relevant information from SHC and SGN is typically disseminated via emails or its social media channels. You may do so through bookmarking their websites, following their social media, or registering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We strongly urge students to sign up for these channels and to check that your contact details are up-to-date.

 

 

 

11. testing upon return to university

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Description

• Students will be asked to stagger their return to universities after Christmas to help protect those around them and reduce transmission of Covid-19

• All students should be offered Covid tests when they return to university to help identify and isolate those who are asymptomatic but could spread the virus

• All universities will be offered testing facilities to give students two lateral flow tests, three days apart, with results turned around within an hour to help control the spread of the virus.

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Link

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-students-offered-testing-on-return-to-university

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12. Is SG/SHC planning to negotiate/convince unis for SG students to be allowed to return to Singapore if they were required to (and did not have any medical reasons to be exmept from studying in the UK)? Or is this still left up to unis themselves?

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Description

• ​Such mattes will be left to the universities themselves and students can take this up directly with them. Many universities, including Cambridge or Oxford will have their own internal safe management guidelines and it would be incongruent to seek an exemption for Singaporean students as a block as the universities may not have the resources to cope with such an exemption. Nonetheless please feedback if this continues to be a major issue for us to raise with the Universities directly.