Coronavirus (COVID-19)

There are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people.

Staying safe and well advice

• Getting vaccinated offers the best protection against COVID-19 – it reduces the risk of getting seriously ill and of spreading it to others
• Wash your hands regularly (you may wish to carry hand sanitiser when out and about)
• Use a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your arm
• If using tissues, dispose of them immediately and wash your hands
• Consider wearing a face covering if you wish to, in crowded and enclosed spaces
• Stay home and rest if you are unwell.

Read more hygiene tips and advice on the Health and Care Portsmouth website.

See the government guidance for Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination is effective and the safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19. A vaccine helps give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19.

The vaccine helps to:

• reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
• reduce your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19
• protect against different strains (variants) of COVID-19

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine

Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines

Seasonal vaccines are offered because viruses change, and protection fades over time.

You may be able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine if you’re at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. For example, this may be due to a health condition or your age. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.

COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years old

Children aged 6 months to 4 years old who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 can get a 1st and 2nd COVID-19 vaccine. They can then get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccination through their GP practice.

Find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including if you’re eligible and how to get it

Got a question about the vaccine?

If you have any questions about the vaccine, you can contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm at weekends.

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are now available to purchase from participating pharmacies and other retail outlets. If your test result is positive, it is recommended that you stay at home, avoid contact with others and follow guidance on how to reduce the spread of infection for five full days, while you are most infectious.

You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you:

• have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment
• work in healthcare or in a hospice.

Learn more about who is eligible for free tests on the NHS website.

Get the latest advice on travelling abroad from England, which includes a handy checklist of what you need to do to travel abroad. For up-to-date information on coronavirus entry requirements and travel warnings by country, go to gov.uk foreign travel advice.

Most COVID-19 infections go away within the first couple of weeks. Having persistent symptoms that continue or develop after your COVID-19 infection has gone away is referred to as Long COVID, or post COVID-19 syndrome. If you are worried about symptoms four or more weeks after you have had COVID-19, or think you had COVID-19, contact your GP practice.

Learn more about Long COVID on the Health and Care Portsmouth website.

As of April 2022, in line with the government’s Living with COVID-19 plan, coronavirus figures for Portsmouth are longer published on this website.

Latest figures on tests, positive cases, health, vaccinations and deaths, including breakdowns for Portsmouth, continue to be available and updated regularly at Coronavirus in the UK (data.gov.uk).

Get the latest updates and advice on coronavirus from:

• The NHS website
• GOV.UK