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  6. Living with COVID-19

Living with COVID-19

Living safely with COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities globally over the last few years and while there are no longer restrictions in place, it is important for us to remember that COVID-19 is still with us.

If you need medical help, call the NHS on 111. If it is a medical emergency, call 999.

Vaccinations remain the best form of protection from the virus and we encourage all those eligible to get their jab as soon as they can. Please visit the NHS website.

Please continue to practise these key behaviours to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, whilst further preventing the spread of the virus:

  • Continuing to wash and sanitise your hands frequently.
  • Staying at home or working from home if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms.
  • Getting vaccinated.

Long COVID

For some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID".

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that between 3 and 12 percent of people who catch COVID will still have symptoms 12 weeks after their initial infection. This is why it is best to do what you can to avoid catching COVID by practising the above listed behaviours.

You should contact your GP if you’re worried about symptoms you’ve had for 4 weeks or longer, after having COVID-19.

Treatment and support

Your doctor will talk to you about the care and support you might need. You may be given advice about how to manage and monitor your symptoms at home.

If the symptoms are having a big impact on your life, you may be referred to a specialist rehabilitation service or a service that specialises in the specific symptoms you have. These services can help manage your symptoms and help you recover.

For more information, visit the NHS website: Supporting your recovery after COVID-19.

COVID-19 and high-risk individuals

COVID-19 poses a risk for everyone, no matter your age, gender, ethnicity or where you live. However, there are groups of people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill when contracting COVID-19.

For most people at high risk from COVID-19, vaccination has significantly reduced this risk. Follow advice on what you can do to keep yourself safe if you are at high risk by visiting the NHS website. You can also follow advice by visiting how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.

Mental health and wellbeing

If you feel like you are struggling, there are many resources that may be able to help. Find local community support:

  • Southampton Voluntary Services has put together a database of Community links for support during COVID-19 where you can search for help, guidance and services on a variety of topics by postcode. This is continuously updated.
  • Love Southampton, an initiative of local churches and organisations are also bringing people together for the good of our city and helping those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
  • SO:Linked: Find practical and emotional support available in the city, on the directory. Chat things through and get connected with local support.
  • City Catering ‘meals on wheels’: Take away the strain of cooking, Monday to Friday - get nutritious hot meals delivered to your door.

If you feel like you need extra advice on how to improve your mental health and wellbeing, please visit our mental health and wellbeing pages.

Information for businesses

For the full national guidelines concerning coronavirus and guidance for businesses, you can view coronavirus information on GOV.UK.

To receive the most up-to-date news for businesses you can sign up to our Business News e-newsletter.

If you are a manager or business owner and want to support your staff, our wellbeing in the workplace page gives you information and links to help you to support staff health, wellbeing, motivation and performance so they can support your business.