What you can do | Middlesbrough Local Outbreak Plan

We need everyone in Middlesbrough to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

By being part of our team effort you can help keep your family and neighbours safe.

Together, we can save lives and jobs. Let’s all play our part and do it for Middlesbrough.

Click on the icons below for more information on how you can protect everyone in our town.

Got symptoms? Stay at home

It’s really important to stay at home (self-isolate) for 10 days if you have any of these symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

You should also stay at home for the following reasons:

you’re waiting for a COVID-19 test result
you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 – this means you have COVID-19
you live with someone who has symptoms, is waiting for a test result, or has tested positive
someone you have come into contact with has symptoms, is waiting for a test result, or has tested positive

How long to stay at home for

If you’ve tested positive, or you have symptoms of COVID-19, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for 10 days. If you live with someone who has symptoms, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for 10 days. If you’ve come into contact with someone who has symptoms, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for 10 days. By staying at home (self-isolating), you can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep other people safe.

Got symptoms? Stay at home

Get a test via 119

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 you can get a free NHS test. Please don’t delay, the test needs to be done within the first five days of getting symptoms. You can either book a drive-through/walk-through test at a test site, or you can order a home test kit. You can book or order a test online or call 119. Some people can get priority tests on GOV.UK. Go to GOV.UK if you:

are an essential worker, including NHS or social care staff
are asking for tests for the residents and staff of your care home
have a verification code from your employer

What the test involves

The test usually involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud. You can do the swab yourself (if you’re aged 12 or over), or someone can do it for you. Children aged 11 or under cannot do the swab themselves – their parent or guardian will have to swab test them. If you get a home test kit, you’ll need to do the test and return the kit in the next 48 hours. Don’t worry, you’ll be told how to do this.

Get a test via 119

Isolate if instructed

You’ll need to self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you’ve come into contact with someone who has symptoms, or if you’re instructed to by the NHS Test and Trace service.

How to self-isolate

Self-isolating is as simple as staying at home. This means you should not go out for any reason, not even for work, exercise, or to buy food or medicine. You should order food and medicine over the phone or online, or you could ask someone to bring it to your home (remember they should leave it at the doorstep, not come into your house). Please don’t have visitors in your home, as they’ll be at risk of infection if you do have COVID-19. People who provide you with essential care can still visit.

How long to self-isolate for

If you’ve tested positive, or you have symptoms of COVID-19, you’ll need to self-isolate for at least 10 days. If you live with someone who has symptoms, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for 10 days. If you’ve come into contact with someone who has symptoms, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for 10 days. If you have symptoms, get a test to check if you have COVID-19 as soon as possible.

How NHS Test and Trace will contact you

You’ll be contacted by email, text or phone. Text messages will come from NHStracing. Calls will come from 0300 0135000. Please beware of scams: NHS Test and Trace will never ask:

for your bank details
for details of any other accounts or social media
you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone
you to call a premium rate number

Find out more about self-isolating and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Isolate if instructed

Wash your hands

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. You should wash your hands for 20 seconds (around the amount of time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice). Follow these simple steps to wash your hands thoroughly:

Wet your hands with water
Apply enough soap to cover your hands
Rub your hands together
Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers, then do the same on the other side
Rub the back of your fingers against your palms
Rub your thumb using your other hand, then do the same with the other thumb
Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand, then do the same with other hand
Rinse your hands with water
Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel
Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap

Watch a quick video of how to wash your hands.

Wash your hands

Wear a face covering

You must wear a face covering:

on public transport
in airports, train stations, and bus stations
in shops, supermarkets and indoor shopping centres
in banks, building societies, and post offices
in leisure and cultural venues including libraries, museums, galleries, and cinemas
in places of worship and funeral providers, including crematoria, funeral homes, and chapels
in various other venues as listed on GOV.UK

This doesn’t need to be a medical-grade face mask – these should be kept available for key workers. A cloth face covering is enough. The face covering should cover your mouth and nose, while still allowing you to breathe comfortably. You can buy a face covering online, or it can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind your head. If you do not wear a face covering, you may not be allowed to travel on public transport or go into a shop, or you could get a £100 fine from the police. The government also recommends wearing a face covering in places where it’s hard to keep 2m apart from other people, like bus and train stations, and in taxis. Find out more about where you need to wear a face covering and how to make one.

Wear a face covering

Don’t suffer in silence

If you are struggling, please don’t suffer in silence – there are people who can help.

Domestic abuse

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, you can find help on the Middlesbrough Council website. If you’re in immediate danger, call 999. Police won’t automatically be sent if you stay silent on a 999 phone call. If you can, cough or tap the phone to make a noise and let the operator know you’re there. If you can’t do that, your call will be sent to an automated system (Silent Solutions) and you’ll need to press 55 to prove that you need help. When you’ve pressed 55, the operator will transfer you to the police.

Mental health

If you are feeling depressed or anxious and would like to discuss what support might be available, please contact Impact on Teesside on 01642 573924. If you are concerned about an immediate mental health emergency call the Tees Crisis Team on 0800 0516 171. If there is an immediate risk to life, please call the emergency services on 999. For more information visit the IMPACT website or the Crisis Advice website.

Other support available

You can find out more about services which can help with things like debt and addiction on the support section of the Middlesbrough Council website.

Don’t suffer in silence