Hi, DH and I are classed as keyworkers, him in a residential setting and me in childcare. Today he has had his first 'GP thinks it is a nasty case of Covid-19' in his area. When staff who fell ill with Covid-19 reported sick, others in their department were sent home for immediate 7 day/14 day isolation. They are now so down on numbers in part because of this, in part because there are a handful who are genuinely sick and also because of the number choosing to be on self-isolation. There is a much smaller number who are 12 weeks isolating. The instruction to self isolate when they have been in direct contact seems to have gone to the dogs.
We know we are likely to get it but are seeking advice from NHS staff who are managing patients with this day in day out. DH and his staff have minimal PPE and are running out rapidly. We don't expect them to get replacements in any time soon as we know they are desperately needed in hospitals. They are able to contain their residents to their rooms and are doing so. But this only means they aren't all out together. There are still times when staff need to approach.
The routine I have taken today is for him to strip and bathe as soon as he got in. Everything was put straight on a hot wash once he had finished with towels etc. I have sanitised the handles and anything else he did or may have touched on his way in - I was watching him like a hawk. He is now sitting away from everyone else in the family while I try and work out how we are going to manage this moving forward. I am still needed to be in my work but have let my manager know the situation, and we have children to think about to.
Any advice from NHS staff on how best to manage this would be gratefully received. We are already making plans for if we decide it is better for him to not return home at all. IN the meantime, he is going to be taking clean clothes to work every day and showering on his way out to reduce the spread as best we can.