COVID-19 early outbreak management

How COVID-19 early outbreak management action cards help fight the virus

The action cards provide instructions to anyone responsible for a business or organisation on what to do in the event of one or more confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your organisation.

These quick-reference guides provide key steps to help you quickly identify, report and respond to any potential COVID-19 outbreak within your local community. A COVID-19 outbreak is one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19, depending on the type of organisation.

The action cards have been developed to cover a range of businesses and organisations to provide specific advice on the issues each type of organisation may face now lockdown restrictions have been eased.

When to use the early outbreak management action cards

If a confirmed case of COVID-19 has occurred in your business or organisation, go to the reporting an outbreak resource site to find the relevant type of organisation and follow the instructions on the action card. Some organisations will need to report an outbreak with just one confirmed case of COVID-19.

The cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on hand in your business or organisation.

Steps to manage a possible outbreak

1. Identify

When you are informed of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by employees, visitors or NHS Test and Trace, go to step 2.

You may also be contacted by your local Public Health England Health Protection Team(PHE HPT).

2. Report

Contact your local PHE HPT for help and advice, if they haven’t contacted you.

Early engagement with your local PHE HPT is important to minimising any possible wider outbreak in your community.

See below for information you may be asked to provide. Do not worry if you’re unable to answer all the questions. Your local PHE HPT will guide you through the process.

3. Respond

Your local PHE HPT will work with you to assess the risks and identify the most appropriate actions to take.

Depending on the outcome, your local PHE HPT and local authority may establish an outbreak control team to help manage the situation.