The spread of the disease can be unpredictable as new variants can emerge. Read the latest government COVID-19 guidance.
COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. It's important to recognize these symptoms to seek timely medical advice.
Symptoms can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) - a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you may be eligible to order a free lateral flow test.
If you think you may have COVID-19 staying at home, if you can, will prevent the spread of the disease to others.
There are lots of steps you can take to help prevent catching and spreading COVID-19:
- get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you're eligible
- wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and encourage children to do this
- regularly clean surfaces you touch
- think about wearing a face covering if you're in close contact with other people, or in crowded places
COVID-19 vaccine
If you're at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to your age or a health condition, you may be offered a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.
This vaccine will help to reduce your chances of becoming seriously unwell if you become infected with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine is also offered to pregnant women.
A vaccine will also be offered to people who have close contact with those most vulnerable to infection including:
- frontline health and social care staff
- carers of vulnerable individuals
- families of individuals with weakened immune systems
The COVID-19 vaccines will be offered in a variety of settings across Derbyshire. View a list of vaccination clinics.
You can book or manage a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a venue that's best for you, or tel: 119 free of charge.
Translation services are available at 119. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine.