If you or a member of your household are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have had contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case it is important to seek medical attention early.

If you are concerned that you may be showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have had contact with someone suffering from COVID-19 the best way to ensure you are keeping your children and other family members safe is limiting your contact with them and maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading infection. This can be very challenging but it is important to limit the spread of disease as much as possible.

Should you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being cared for at home it is important to follow the advised isolation protocol by your health professional and WHO. This usually includes staying at home and limiting contact between yourself and other family members (the only exclusion being for breastfeeding mothers who are encouraged to continue feeding their child with special precautions in place). It is recommended that you have your own room that is well ventilated away from other family members in addition to using good hand hygiene and where possible wearing a medical mask and/ or maintaining good respiratory hygiene. If you are instructed to wear a mask make sure that you understand how to use and dispose of it safely. WHO also recommends using dedicated linen and food utensils for yourself that are not shared with your children or other family members, and that all possible contaminated surfaces are cleaned regularly wearing gloves and other available protective equipment where possible. Make sure you are aware of how to use and dispose of these safely. If you are unsure as to what to do please speak to your health professional.