Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Official Advice and Guidance

For health information and advice, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For NHS stay at home advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

See advice from Public Health: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus

To learn about the UK Government response, visit GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

For information from the World Health Organisation on basic protective measures: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

For regular updates and news stories, see the BBC news page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers

Birmingham City Council have provided advice pages dedicated to Coronavirus: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50231/coronavirus_covid-19/2064/looking_after_yourself_and_others See bottom of this page for local news from Birmingham City Council

The current situation can be difficult and stressful, for advice on things you can try that could help your wellbeing, have a look at the Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/. 

If you need local support

People who self isolating or organisations looking for support can also contact us on via this page, calling 0121 728 7030 during office hours, emailing [email protected] or you can message us Facebook, Instagram or Twitter

How your organisation can support

If you are interested in supporting and working with us, please contact us via this page. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or call 0121 728 7030 during office hours . You can also message us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Birmingham City Council News

Birmingham City Council is to fund vouchers for families of the 61,000 children who get free school meals. The voucher scheme, for use in major supermarkets, will be administered by schools who will issue electronic codes to families or print vouchers off for families who cannot access electronic codes. Schools will be contacting parents early next week.

Birmingham’s Trading Standards team is urging residents to be aware of a number of coronavirus-linked scams which are targeting vulnerable people across the UK.

To maintain the most reliable waste collection services possible during the Covid-19 pandemic, a change to how the council deals with garden waste has been announced.

They are suspending pay and display fees for both on- and off-street parking in the city, to give key workers more flexibility over where they park during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Following national guidance, and to ensure that social distancing takes place, new emergency measures will be put in place for our bereavement services including how funerals are conducted – and there are changes to registration services.

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid is continuing to provide support as safely as possible to women and children affected by domestic abuse. Call the freephone helpline on 0808 800 0028.

Residents and businesses across the West Midlands are being urged to donate to Change into Action to help the region’s rough sleepers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Thousands of Birmingham businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply to the Government’s Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Don’t forget: Birmingham City Council is currently providing daily updates on its service alterations as a result of the Covid-19 virus. You can find a full suite of advice on coronavirus on the council’s website.