Covid-19: those self-isolating should try to self-isolate from their family members too

While the mortality rate is not yet accurately known experts are saying that those who are self-isolating should try to self-isolate from their family members too.

Prof Tom Solomon, Director, NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, said: “Although there is clearly an increased risk for household contact of patients in isolation at home … As far as possible the person infected with the coronavirus should keep themselves away from other household members.”

Professor Solomon also said That it is not inevitable that Family members will become infected with Covid-19. To avoid infection he also stressed that they should be extremely careful about coughing and sneezing into tissues which they then dispose of, and everyone in the household should be scrupulous about hand washing.

Professor Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology, University of Nottingham, said that the advice is designed to protect those other people most at risk, as well as the wider public.

Professor Ball also stated that there is no need to isolate an entire family because an uninfected person poses no risk.

“If someone else within the family then develops symptoms they too should immediately isolate.” Said Professor Ball.

The advice comes after countries like Australia and the UK have seen a spike in infections.

Dr Bharat Pankhankia, Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Exeter, said “We are now entering a phase of community transmission of infection and it is important for everyone to become aware that the coronavirus is in the phase of freer community transmission.”