COVID-19 Kingston
Find out information on the latest updates around Covid-19
How to stay safe
COVID-19 continues to circulate in Kingston and across the country so it is important that we all do what we can to keep ourselves and those we live and care for safe.
There are a variety of other measures that we can all take to minimise transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu that are outlined in the up-to-date guidance on living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID.
The key measures are:
- getting COVID-19 vaccinations and having booster doses when offered
- letting fresh air in if meeting indoors, or otherwise meeting outside
- wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially when coming into contact with people you do not usually meet and when rates of transmission are high
- trying to stay at home if unwell
- if you have symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 test result and you need to leave your home, wearing a well-fitting face covering or a face mask can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections
- staying at home and avoiding/limiting contact with other people if you are positive or have symptoms especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination
- washing hands and following advice to “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”
Long COVID
Many people recovering from COVID-19 are still coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both their body and mind and are still trying to shake off the effects of the virus.
The symptoms are wide-ranging and varying.
This can include
- breathlessness
- chronic fatigue, “brain fog”,
- anxiety
- stress
Recovering from Covid - NHS South West London Integrated Care Board share self-help resources and links to local services that are available to people who are experiencing long COVID (which you may also hear referred to as post COVID).
For more information and resources:
Testing
Free COVID-19 tests are no longer available for most people in England although a few people can still get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS. This includes those with a health condition which means they're eligible for COVID-19 treatments. Check if you can get free NHS COVID-19 tests.
For those who are not eligible for free tests and you still want to get tested, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself. You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The primary aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to be the prevention of severe disease (hospitalisation and mortality) arising from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and getting vaccinated reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
The COVID-19 vaccine programme is continuously monitored with seasonal booster doses being recommended for some high-risk groups. It is important to have your vaccine and any boosters when they are offered to you.
Visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS to see if you are eligible for COVID vaccination.
Find out more information on where to get the COVID-19 vaccination
The vaccine is always offered free of charge by the NHS.
Further information and resources
You can also watch videos by experts that answer key questions about the vaccine.
You can also find information about the vaccine in easy read format:
- guide to what to expect after your COVID vaccine (video)
- coronavirus vaccine mythbustingy
- what to expect after your vaccine
Advice for Kingston businesses
There is no longer a requirement for all employers to explicitly consider COVID-19 in their statutory health and safety risk assessments, however, working safely should still be a priority.
Reducing the spread of respiratory infection including COVID-19, in the workplace - GOV.UK guidance covers how to reduce the risk of respiratory infections including COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.