INtroduction
The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The situation is evolving rapidly with global case counts and deaths increasing each day.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially severe acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. The clinical presentation is that of a respiratory infection with a symptom severity ranging from a mild common cold-like illness, to a severe viral pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome that is potentially fatal.
DISEASE SPECIFIC SUMMARY
BMJ – Best Practice – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Includes a key summary and overview includes; key diagnostic factors, risk factors, diagnostic investigations, intiital & acute management, complications and more.
Patient Information leaflet – Patient information leaflet from BMJ ( COVID-19)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BMJ COVID-19 Hub All BMJ coverage of the coronavirus outbreak from across the BMJ’s journals and learning resources.
Oxford Covid-19 Evidence Service The CEBM has committed its skills and expertise in evidence synthesis and dissemination to the effort against the current COVID-19 pandemic. This page will be updated regularly.
Key Links
HSCB Primary Care Links
Note – these links will only work within the HSC network
HSCB Primary Care COVID-19 Site
- BMA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Hub
- BMA – COVID-19 centres in Northern Ireland
- BMA – PPE for doctors
- BMA – Covid 19-steps for gp practices to take
- COVID-19: remote consultations and homeworking
RCGP Resources
- RCGP COVID-19 (coronavirus) Resources
- Latest Guidance | COVID-19 Resource Hub | FAQs
- RCGP – Essential Knowledge Update Programme (elearning content freely available to support all returning GPs)
Public Health Links
Public Health Link: www.pha.site/coronavirus
PHA Health Protection Duty Team 0300 555 0119
For clinical advice
ADULTS
On-call Infectious Disease consultant via Newcastle Upon Tyne switchboard on 0191 233 6161.
CHILDREN
(aged less than 16 years) Contact Paediatric Infectious Diseases via Belvoir ward, RBHSC, on 028 9615 0346 / 028 9615 0347.
GOV.UK Links
COVID-19: guidance for health professionals
Information on COVID-19, including guidance on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases
