All nursing and midwifery staff are fundamental to informing the public and reassuring them about the COVID-19 outbreak.
This page is part of the RCN COVID-19 (coronavirus) resources. It provides RCN members across the health and social care workforce, including nursing support workers and students, with clinical information and key resources to support their understanding of and help them with management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Also see:
RCN position on COVID-19
RCN COVID-19 and vaccination FAQs
Background
In late December 2019 a new (novel) coronavirus was identified in China causing severe respiratory disease including pneumonia.
The virus causing the infection has been named - severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the cause of this new strain of coronavirus disease COVID-19.
The situation was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 12th March 2020 (Pan being all and demos people).
See the global data: WHO dashboard and WHO situation reports dashboard and Johns Hopkins University dashboard.
Coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a common family of viruses and one of the causes of the common cold. In general, most people with COVID-19 will present with mild to moderate respiratory like symptoms, but older people, those with underlying illness and co morbidity are more likely to develop serious illness (see the WHO information).
Other examples of Coronavirus infections include Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the first outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS -1) both of which have prompted global collaboration to reduce spread between people and to protect healthcare workers and continue to do so.
Current situation
COVID-19 remains a fast-moving evolving situation and the epidemiology of the infections change rapidly across the world. This is as a result of the natural progression of an infectious disease with waves of high infection exposing those susceptible and identification of new variants to the original coronavirus infection adding a further potential risk. Additional impacts are caused by Non Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI) such as the closure of all but essential business, social distancing and reducing unnecessary travel, alongside new treatment options and the impact of vaccination.
As such, any COVID-19 guidance for healthcare workers and health and social care services is evolving and being updated frequently. This reflects the need to take a view of the global situation (see: the WHO coronavirus hub) as well as the situation across the UK.
Also see: RCN FAQ on ‘support for nursing staff managing changing the global situation’.
All nursing and midwifery staff, including, nursing associates (England only), and healthcare support workers, must familiarise themselves with their local policies on emergency planning and infection prevention and control. They should also keep up to date with national guidance issued by the UK governments and relevant UK Public Health agencies.
This information is updated regularly to reflect the changing situation but it is imperative that members look on source web sites and check the embedded links to ensure they are looking at the most up to date information.
UK Coronavirus response
The UK plans and actions for managing the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, are available here with links to country specific public health guidance.
Public information campaign
The Department of Health and Social Care public information campaign including the importance of handwashing and other measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): campaign information and resources.
For health protection advice, contact your local health protection team:
- Find your local health protection team in England
- Health Protection Scotland: enquiries
- Health Select Committee Northern Ireland health protection
- Public Health Wales: contact us
Information for the public
Anyone concerned about symptoms in themselves or someone they know should be advised to contact NHS 111.
Also see ‘What to do if you have symptoms’:
The Department of Health and Social Care public information campaign including the importance of handwashing and other measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
See: Coronavirus (COVID-19): campaign information and resources.
This PHE video explains how to improve ventilation in the home
For specific health protection advice, contact your local health protection team:
- Find your local health protection team in England
- Health Protection Scotland: enquiries
- Health Select Committee Northern Ireland health protection
- Public Health Wales: contact us
RCN position
The RCN are working with national UK agencies and other key stakeholders such as other Royal Colleges and professional organisations to support preparedness and management of the current situation providing a nursing-focused perspective based on our role as a Royal College and Trade Union.
The protection of healthcare workers, development and review of guidance and resilience of healthcare workers and healthcare provision are key for the RCN.
Please refer back to the main RCN COVID-19 (coronavirus) resource.
RCN position on COVID-19 & RCN COVID-19 FAQs
The detail below provides more specific information and access to further resources. Please also see the relevant clinical topic pages for additional information.