Coming out of compulsory self-isolation for those diagnosed as positive

You will be contacted by phone by a member of the Public Health Services team to confirm that your infection has cleared. You will be provided with all the information required at this stage.

The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well for 14 days after being in contact with you, they are unlikely to develop symptoms. 

If anyone in your household develops symptoms, they will need to stay in self-isolation and contact the helpline on 01481 756938 or 04181 756969. Please ensure they let the operator know that they have been in contact with a case of COVID-19.

Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surface is likely to have decreased significantly by 72 hours.

All surfaces that you have come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, including objects which are visibly contaminated and all potentially contaminated high-contact areas such as: 

• Bathrooms – taps, toilets, towel rails, shower curtains, toiletries, towels, handles and door knobs 
• Around the house - door handles, telephones, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells, light switches, remote controls, worktops, armrests, cabinet and cupboard handles
• Bedroom – bed linen, bedside tables, lamp switches 

To clean and disinfect all hard surfaces and flooring, use disposable cloths or paper towel roll and dispose of mop heads.

Clean all surfaces with regular household detergent and allow surfaces to dry. Follow this step by a thorough disinfection with a bleach dilution or sterilising fluid e.g. Milton used for babies bottles. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants.

When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning may be used – for example by using the steam setting on an iron.

If you opt to have your house professionally cleaned, let the company know that you require a deep clean after a COVID-19 infection. This way, the company will be able to provide the best cleaning option and protect their staff.

Items heavily soiled with body fluids should be disposed of. Put all clothes, soft or fabric window hangings and curtains, bedding and any other laundry items in a disposable bag, and take it to your washing machine. Do not shake items and avoid all necessary agitation.

Wash the items on the hottest temperature setting the fabric will tolerate, if possible tumble dry and then iron.

Tissues and other personal waste, along with disposable cloths and mop heads should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full. The plastic bag should then be placed in a second yellow bin bag and tied.

Store it inside for at least 72 hours. Waste should NOT be left unsupervised awaiting collection. When ready for collection call the waste collection team on 707333.

All household rubbish, including recycling, should be kept, untouched, for a minimum of 72 hours before left for collection. If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, please put your rubbish bag inside the yellow bin bag that has been provided and arrange for collection as infectious waste by calling the waste collection team on 707333 and informing them that the bag contains non clinical waste.