What to do if you think you or someone else might have Covid-19
Key information and what you will need to do if you think you, or someone else, may have Covid-19.
Further details on University of Edinburgh Covid-19 processes can be found on the Covid-19 SharePoint site (staff access only)
Symptoms, contact tracing and health conditions
The most common symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature
- loss of taste or smell
Further information can be found on the NHS Inform webpage
From May 1st, you no longer need to self-isolate if you have covid-19 symptoms, however, the public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people.
As testing will no longer be available, you will not know whether you have Covid-19 or not. We are therefore asking staff not to come onto campus if they have transmissible symptoms and believe they may be infectious to others. Line manager’s advice on absence recording is at Absence recording.
From 1st May, Covid-19 testing will no longer be available to the general public. Testing will revert to local NHS Health Protection Teams who will manage any outbreak or community testing directly with employers or groups of the public.
You can find out more from in the Scottish Government Test and Protect Transition plan
‘TestEd’ research project
The University and the UK Medical Research Council are supporting an exciting research project to develop a new approach to Covid-19 testing, called TestEd. Participation is voluntary and testing is currently available at a number of sites across the University. Please find out more at:
If you receive a positive result from TestEd, you should follow the advice at Guidelines for our community during times of pandemic
Contact tracing is the process for identifying people who are at risk of Coronavirus infection because they‘ve had enough contact with a person who has tested positive. These people will be given advice to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
The NHS Health Protection Teams will manage any contact tracing that may be required due to community testing or outbreak management. If there are any implications for the University, the NHS Lothian Health Protection Team will contact the Health and Safety Department directly to discuss further actions.
NHS Scotland’s Protect Scotland app has now been withdrawn.
rom May 1st, you no longer need to self-isolate if you have covid-19 symptoms, however, the public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people.
As symptomatic testing has now ended you will not know if you have covid-19 or not. If you feel unwell, follow the guidance at Symptoms of Covid-19 FAQ above.
If you have been contacted by the NHS Lothian Health Protection Team and asked to self-isolate or to test, follow your normal absence reporting process for your School/Department.
Guidance on Covid-19 case management on campus Case management on or off campus
Anyone who becomes ill whilst at work should make their way home safely as soon as they can. Many areas have first aid rooms or quiet rooms where staff can wait to be picked up or until their chosen mode of transport is leaving (for example train). Ensure your line manager is aware that you are leaving because you are unwell.
From May 1st, you no longer need to self-isolate if you have covid-19 symptoms, however, the public health advice for people who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better, to reduce the risk of infecting other people. This should be managed as any other ill-health absence.
For staff, see Line manager’s advice on absence recording is at Absence recording
Students should speak to their Personal Tutor or follow their normal School process.