On this page you can find out about coronavirus and what to do if you or your household members have symptoms, including getting tested, as well as the latest information and FAQs about vaccinations. Please take a look at the local support available and the information boxes at the foot of the page too, which contain lots of helpful information for mental health and wellbeing, families, and a map to look to find community social networks in your area.
For more information about coronavirus, and how to reduce the risk of you and others catching it, please take a look at the Gov.UK and NHS websites.
Keep protecting each other
Cover your face - wear a face covering in enclosed space. Across all tiers in England, everyone must wear a face covering in most indoor public settings. The government guidance explains more. This information relates to the use of face coverings in public spaces where social distancing isn't always possible. It's also important to follow all the other government advice on coronavirus (Covid-19), including meeting with others safely.
Find out more about what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak in the government guidance.
What are the main symptoms of coronavirus?
The main symptoms are:
- A high temperature– this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you don't need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough– this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you can't smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.
You can find out more about coronavirus, social distancing, how to self-isolate, helping others safely and more on the NHS website and the Gov.uk coronavirus information pages.
Specific advice is available on:
I have symptoms. What do I need to do?
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible
- Stay at home and don't have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result. Find out more about how long to self-isolate.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- You're worried about your symptoms
- You're not sure what to do
Call 111 if you can't get help online. Don't go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
Precautionary tests for Covid-19 now available in Shropshire
People across Shropshire who have symptoms such as headaches, fatigue or sore throats are urged to book a Covid-19 test. We've increased our testing capacity as the county looks to strengthen its response to the sharp rise in cases.
Currently, anyone in Shropshire who has one of the main symptoms – a high temperature, new cough or loss of taste or smell – must self-isolate immediately and book a test.
But with more people testing positive who may who have other symptoms, we're now encouraging anyone to consider getting tested as a precaution if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Aches and pains
- Feeling very tired for no good reason
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sometimes ‘tummy ache’ in children.
There are a number of testing sites across Shropshire which allow you to book a test online, or you can call 119. You can use the 'My council has asked me to book a test” option if you have the other symptoms.
The NHS Test and Trace app
The NHS Covid-19 app, available to download for free in England and Wales, is the fastest way to see if you're at risk from coronavirus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. Find out more and how to download the app by visiting the NHS website.
Local support during the coronavirus pandemic
Dedicated coronavirus helpline
You can contact the helpline on 0345 678 9028 for any coronavirus-related issues and enquiries, between 8am to 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Each caller will be asked to explain their need and, if required, this information will be passed onto the appropriate support.
Please note: the helpline is for council services only - for any health-related queries and issues please use the NHS 111 online service.
Community reassurance teams are in place to help those who are vulnerable and in need of help. The team can be contacted through the coronavirus helpline above
Helpful information has been gathered which includes: mental health and wellbeing, families, and a map to look to find community social networks in your area. Please click on the boxes towards the end of this page.
What you can and can't do during the coronavirus pandemic
Covid-19 vaccination
Our frequently asked questions page should answer all the questions you may have on the vaccination process.
The NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated. The vaccine priority poster explains the first phase priority groups for the Covid-19 vaccination. The BBC has produced an 'explainer': 'When will you be eligible for the Covid vaccine?' The Covid-19 vaccination guide for adults leaflet explains who is eligible and who needs to have the vaccine to protect them from coronavirus.
Information in other languages and formats
British Asian doctors explain the importance of vaccines for fighting coronavirus in five languages: Sylheti, Gujarati, Tamil, Urdu and Punjabi on the BBC website.
Mencap's easy-read leaflet gives information about the coronavirus vaccine.
A short film from the NHS has been made for people with a learning disability and/or who are autistic. It gives information about vaccines and describes what a vaccine is, how vaccines are made, why you should get a vaccine, whether a vaccine will make you ill and how to decide whether to have a vaccine.
Links to government guidance
The Gov.UK and NHS coronavirus pages contain full guidance documents and information. Here's a selection:
Social distancing measures in our market towns
Poster resources for businesses and the public
You can find a range of posters to assist with coronavirus measures, as well as a toolkit for local community groups, in our useful resources section.
Tell us if businesses are Covid-secure
'Long Covid'
New data suggests that 'long Covid' affects around 10% of 18 to 49-year-olds who become unwell with Covid-19. The symptoms, including fatigue, protracted loss of taste or smell, respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms and mental health problems, are described in a short subtitled film as part of the wider national Hands, Face, Space campaign.
Find out more about the film.
Translated guidance and alternative formats
Stay safe and well this winter
Have we covered everything?
With the current coronavirus situation changing daily, this page is regularly updated to provide the latest relevant local information, and links to official guidance and support.
We want to make sure that this local information is relevant to you, so if you have a question that isn't covered by the following pages please let us know. For any urgent service requests, please contact the helpline on 0345 678 9028.
