Play your part

We have all made sacrifices to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the communities we live in.

Washing your hands isn't a sacrifice. It's a simple and effective way to reduce risk and help stop the spread of the virus to yourself, family and friends.

Preventing the spread

COVID-19 exists in the liquid droplets you breathe into the air. This is how it spreads to other people and why it's important to self-isolate if you have tested positive.

If you are aged 18 or over and are not fully vaccinated, you must also self-isolate if you are identified as a close contact of somebody with the virus.

If you're asymptomatic, you don't have symptoms. Therefore you won't know you're carrying the virus but could still be mixing with other people, passing the virus on without knowing.

Further information

• Visit self-isolation for more information on who must isolate.
• Visit prevention and health advice for more information on how and why washing hands is key to preventing the spread.

The importance of testing

Got symptoms? Get tested.

If you have any one of the COVID-19 symptoms it's important you get tested straight away to confirm if you do have the virus. You must isolate for 10 full days, starting before you get a test or receive your results, to prevent the spread and protect others. Knowing if you're definitely positive will help you decide what steps you take next to help your body fight the virus and also how you protect your household from catching COVID-19 from you. There are testing sites in Kirklees specifically for people with symptoms available to book now.

Not got symptoms? Get tested.

1 in 3 people have COVID-19 but don't present any symptoms (known as asymptomatic) but will still be infectious and could spread the virus to others without knowing. Some of those people who become infected might be vulnerable and/or elderly, they could become seriously ill or even die - some of these people could be your loved ones. Rapid flow testing aims to help prevent and reduce transmission in the community. No need to book, just turn up.

You can play your part - get tested now.

Further information

• Find your rapid flow testing sites, read rapid lateral flow testing to find out what to do.
• Or book a test if you have symptoms by visiting getting a PCR test

Isolating effectively

If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, up to 2 days prior to them having symptoms or testing positive, you too could already be infectious. You may feel fine but this doesn't mean you don't have COVID-19 or won't develop it over the next 10 days. Isolating is an incredibly effective way of slowing the spread and why adhering strictly to timeframes is extremely important, whether you have tested positive or are a contact.

By isolating you are playing your part in helping to break the chain of the virus. As well as protecting your friends and family, you are also shielding the most vulnerable who could suffer the consequences of the disease more than you.

Additionally, it's a legal requirement - you could be fined if you do not self-isolate when required.

Further information

• Visit self-isolation for more information on who must isolate.

Long term effects of COVID-19 (Long COVID)

Most people will make a full recovery after contracting coronavirus but for some, COVID-19 will have serious long term effects.

Commonly known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Syndrome, you could be left with debilitating physical and/or mental ill health issues. You may quickly recover from the initial virus, but your mind and body could take months to fully recover from the lasting impact.

Don't risk your health or the health of others.

Play your part. Follow the guidelines.

Further information

• Visit Long term effects of COVID-19 (Long COVID) to find out about symptoms and support for recovery.

Protecting loved ones

Family and friends are precious and it's important to realise that even though you may not be showing symptoms yourself, you could unknowingly infect someone else.

We need to protect loved ones, especially if they are elderly or clinically extremely vulnerable.

If not for yourself, do it for them. Play your part, follow the guidelines.

Further information

• Read COVID-19 guidance for vulnerable people for more information.