Self-isolation pack being sent to homes across Sheffield - this is what it contains

Greg Fell, Sheffield’s director of public health, said the new packs would include a host of information, from when you need to isolate and for how long to details of the financial support available.

People are legally required to self-isolate if they have Covid-19 symptoms, even if they are mild ones; if they have tested positive for the virus; or they have been told to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

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Mr Fell said self-isolating, which means staying at home for 10 days and only leaving to be tested, was the ‘single most important’ thing people could do to restrict the spread of infection.

"To help, we’ve created a self-isolation pack, which will be going out fairly broadly across the city over the next couple of days,” he said.

He added: “The pack contains loads of information and advice such as when and why you should self-isolate and how long; the details of all the support that’s available, including financial support; and how to plan so that should you be asked to self-isolate, and it probably will come out of the blue, you will be ready because you won’t be able to pop to the shops.

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"(There are) some ideas for filling your time, because 10 days at home is a long time; how to treat coronavirus symptoms at home; and stories from people who’ve been through it (because it’s) always good to learn from people who’ve been through that.

"There’s also some good information in terms of how to prevent the spread of coronavirus from you, should you be the person who’s tested positive, to other people you live with. There are some simple, practical things we can do to limit in-household spread, and those things are important.

"It’s worth remembering that if you have to self-isolate and will lose income as a result, you might be able to get a payment of up to £500.”

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Mr Fell said the packs would also be available online at www.sheffield.gov.uk/coronaviruscommunityresources or you could request a printed copy by calling 0114 273 4567.