Q. Dr, I have been reading about the levels of Coronavirus locally and I am worried that my partner has symptoms. What should I do?

First you need to be check that the symptoms are coronavirus.

You can do that online at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/

The main symptoms are: a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature); a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).

The 111 online Covid service will ask about your symptoms and tell you what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

If you live with someone who has symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started. This is because it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

If more than one person at home has symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days from the day the first person started having symptoms.

If you get symptoms while self-isolating – you should self-isolate for seven days from when your symptoms started, even if it means you're self-isolating for longer than 14 days. If no symptoms show you can stop self-isolating after 14 days.

If you have symptoms, you can apply to be tested if you: are an essential worker (e.g. NHS, emergency services, teachers or utilities workers); are aged 65 or over; cannot work from home; live with an essential worker, someone aged 65 or over, or someone who cannot work from home.

For testing to be most effective, it needs to be done within the first five days of symptoms.

You can apply for a test online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test. There are a range of options here:

driving to a regional centre, applying to use one of the Ministry of Defence’s mobile testing sites, or applying for a

home test. If you are an essential worker, your manager can refer you for a test. More information on local testing

is here: https://www.morecambebayccg.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-testing-arrangements

Dr, I am finding the lockdown very stressful and feel that my depression and anxiety is getting out of control. I feel that I have nowhere to turn and it is getting worse every day.

If you need urgent help as you are in mental health distress, then there is always someone you can call.

There is now a Mental Health Urgent Response Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 0800 9530110.

It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services – ring it if you need to access services or for advice about someone who needs treatment or support.

This is really good news for the people of Lancashire and south Cumbria who can rest assured that despite the lockdown it is business as usual for mental health services.

To ensure we are able to safely care for our patients while adhering to the Government’s social distancing rules, many people can now attend appointments either by telephone or via an online consultation software that is both secure and safe.

Patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria can now see their clinicians via online consultations, from their own homes.

This means that regular appointments can continue safely even if patients or healthcare professionals are self-isolating.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) has implemented the new system, called ‘Attend Anywhere’, with around 700 healthcare staff at the Trust presently able to do online consultations.

This new style of consultation has been introduced to help people experiencing chronic pain in their muscles or joints, and adults and expecting or new mums with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

All you need to do is click a link on a tablet, smart phone, or laptop that has access to a camera or a webcam.

The option is available to patients who are at most risk of COVID-19, such as people over 70, mums-to-be, anyone with a weakened immune system, and also to those people who are struggling the most with their mental health.

What this means is that people can have access to healthcare even though they may be shielding at home.

LSCFT has also reassured people who do not want to have a virtual appointment that face-to-face consultations are still available.

Clinicians will also hold appointments in person where they feel they are needed.