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Staff & students

Tell us if you are ill

Here is what to do you if think you may have Covid-19 or have a confirmed diagnosis.

Primary page content

The NHS list the main symptoms of coronavirus as:

  • a high temperature – this 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 (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Watch this BBC video to help you tell if your symptoms are a cold, flu or Covid-19.

Follow the instructions on this page if you have any of these symptoms, or if you have had a positive Covid-19 test result.

Staff instructions

Step 1 - Tell Goldsmiths

Fill out and submit the Staff Covid-19 reporting form. This form will send your details to your line manager, department/service management and our Estates team.

If you are on campus when you become ill, leave and return home as soon as possible. Ideally, avoid public transport but if you have to travel wash your hands, put on a face covering and avoid touching your covering/face until you get home.

You must now self-isolate for at 10 days. See nhs.uk's information self-isolation and treating the symptoms of Covid-19.

Step 2 - Get a test

Follow the instructions on GOV.UK on getting a Covid-19 test.

Lewisham Council is also providing tests for local residents.

Step 3 - Test result

Use the Staff Covid-19 reporting form again to tell us the results of your test when you receive it.

Please do this if you have either a positive or negative result, or if you've been told to do something else by the NHS.

How Goldsmiths manages staff reports

The full process is detailed on Goldmine (staff access only).

Student instructions

Step 1 - Return to your accommodation and self-isolate

If you aren't at home when you become ill, return as soon as possible. Ideally, avoid public transport but if you have to travel wash your hands, put on a face covering and avoid touching your covering/face until you get home.

Return to your main student accommodation. Do not travel back to your family home unless you are currently living there.

You must now self-isolate for at 10 days.

Contact everyone you share your house/flat with and tell them to return home. They need to self-isolate for 10 days starting from the day you became ill.

See nhs.uk's information self-isolation and treating the symptoms of Covid-19.

Step 2 - Get a test

Follow the instructions on GOV.UK on getting a PCR Covid-19 test.

You should not go to a GP or hospital. If you are worried about your health follow the advice on nhs.uk or call NHS 111.

Step 3 - Contact Goldsmiths

You need to tell us so we can make provisions for you and to help protect our community from Covid-19.

Student Covid-19 reporting form

Check and update your contact details on My Goldsmiths to ensure we have your correct information.

Step 4 - Tell us your test results

When you receive your test results use the Student Covid-19 reporting form again to tell us the result.

Please do this if you have either a positive or negative result, or if you've been told to do something else by the NHS.

Step 5 - Follow NHS instructions if you have a positive result

If you test positive for Covid-19 the NHS will give you instructions on what to do. You must follow these.

The people you live with and anyone you have been in recent contact with should get a PCR test. Tell them to follow the instructions on GOV.UK on getting a Covid-19 test.

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to ask about who you've been in contact with recently.

We will work with them where required. It is important you tell both us and NHS Test and Trace about your movements on campus.

Read more about NHS Test and Trace.

Support

See our guide on self-isolating for details of support.

Becoming unwell on campus

If you fall ill and need to go home, let your tutor or line manager know you are leaving campus.

First aid assistance

There is no need to request a first aider unless immediate medical attention is required.

To request first aid assistance, please contact Security, on 020 7919 7979 or extension 666, if your local First Aider is not available.

  • Ensure physical distancing is maintained as far as possible, where possible maintain a safe distance (2 metres)
  • The first aider will put on the PPE provided
  • You may be asked to stay in a safe area eg first aid room
  • If you do not have access to a face covering, you will be asked by the first aider attending you to wear a disposable surgical face mask, if you are able to (watch a YouTube video on fitting a face covering)
  • If there are any concerns regarding suspected Covid-19 you or the first aider should seek medical advice via NHS 111, who will provide instructions on the next steps
  • First aiders should not offer to take the person to hospital via a private or Goldsmiths vehicle
  • The first aider should contact the Estates Helpdesk on 0207 9191 7121 to request cleaning of the area, once the patient has been treated and keep the area clear of people until cleaning team arrive