Your DMU Safety daily update: when and how you need to self-isolate

In today’s daily Your DMU Safety update, we’re reminding students (and staff) about the guidance for self-isolation (what, when and how you need to do it).

When to self-isolate

You must self-isolate immediately if:

• You have any symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). You should then seek a Covid-19 test as soon as possible, and you must self-isolate until you get a result.
• You've tested positive for Covid-19
• You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19
• Someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
• You're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and/or DMU Safe Trace because you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
• You arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk – see GOV.UK: how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK

How to self-isolate

Self-isolation means:

• Do not go to lectures, seminars or any other activity on the university campus – work/study from home if you can
• Do not go on public transport or use taxis
• Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
• Do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care
• Do not go out to exercise – exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one.

If you return a positive test, it is essential to continue self-isolating to prevent transmitting the virus to other people. You must continue to self-isolate for 10 days from when you first developed symptoms – or longer if you still have a high temperature. People living in the same household as someone who has developed symptoms and/or has tested positive must also self-isolate for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill or the day you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and/or DMU Safe Trace.

Letting the university know you are self-isolating

If you are a student who needs to self-isolate it is important you let the university know you will be unable to attend lectures and seminars for the duration of your self-isolation period. You can do this by contacting your faculty Student Advice Centre (SACs) as soon as you are able. 

Sources of support and information within DMU 

• The HealthyDMU Hub is available to support your health and wellbeing at DMU. It will provide you with information about staying well, and booking appointments within the Student Welfare Team
• If you are experiencing hardship, you can find some helpful guidance or book an appointment with the Student Finance and Welfare Team
• Your DMU Future and Your DMU Safety provide all the information about Covid-19 on campus and how you can keep yourself and the rest of the DMU community safe
• Specific support for international students can be found here. 
  
  

Sources of support outside of DMU

• Financial support from the government
• The NHS also provides support for everyday tasks during self-isolation, for example collecting food shopping and picking up medication. You can find out more about NHS Volunteer Responders on the NHS website. You can call 0808 196 3646 (8am - 8pm, every day) to arrange help from a volunteer. 
• Leicester City Council also provides support for local residents who are self-isolating. You can email c19support@leicester.gov.uk giving a contact telephone number and a member of staff will call you back between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
• For emergency mental health support provided by the local authority: 0116 295 3060
• Support during isolation if you are living alone, looking after children or if you care for vulnerable people can be found by contacting: hello@leicesterageingtogether.org.uk

How to Report

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 please report it to the university by completing our dmu.ac.uk/safetracenotify form.

All the information and help that you need to enjoy campus life in a safe and secure way is available on the Your DMU Safety website. Please make sure you read and follow all of the guidance and support on this site and check back regularly for updates. We will continue to closely follow and implement UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and local authority guidelines.