Coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.
The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 to 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.
The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has Covid-19 infection:
• A cough
• A high temperature / fever
• Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
If you are worried about symptoms, please call NHS 111 or go to the NHS 111 Coronavirus advice website. It is advised that you do not go to your GP or any other healthcare environments (for example the walk in centre).
• Wash your hands often with soap (or soap substitutes) and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and work environment.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Connect Worldwide are keeping up to date with the situation as it develops by following information found on the GOV.UK website.
Any updates will be communicated to staff when necessary. We are monitoring the situation daily and making sure the business is fully prepared to react to any confirmed cases in our call centre.
In doing so, we are ensuring our staff members are armed with all the support they need to provide a safe working environment.
We are working with Building Management who are displaying guidance notes from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in our office and common areas on how to minimise the risk of infection.
Their teams will regularly sanitise high-frequency touchpoints like doors, door handles, common areas, meeting rooms, reception, shelves, glass panels, kitchen cupboards and furniture to minimise risk.
If a case of the virus is confirmed in our office or elsewhere in the building, the landlord may be required by local authorities to temporarily close the building. In the event of that happening we will follow local government advice and your point of contact will advise you further. Our Landlord has the advantage of owning many sites across the region and it is anticipated that we would be able to relocate if necessary.
Our data centre is based offsite and can be reconfigured to an alternative location if needed.
We do not anticipate any major disruption of service from any other supplier.
Connect Worldwide have a Business Continuity Plan in the event of high staff absence (see BCP -Call Centre Staff).
• HR is a point of contact with all other departments and has literature and information
• HR has been working with members of other departments to ensure contact lists for all staff members are up to date and accessible in the event of office closure/ relocating
• Agents & Fundraisers are being cross-trained on campaigns to ensure full cover is available in the event of high absences
• Performance Leaders, Coaches and all other staff trained to call will be able to help provide phone cover as needed
• If there are any offsite meetings scheduled they will be reviewed and possible alternatives such as meetings via Skype may be suggested.
• CWS will follow government advice regarding staff absences and self-isolation.
We believe we have the capacity to cover any eventuality and are committed with keeping you up to date. As such we are continually developing campaigns which can be implemented at short notice – if other fundraising, or sales channels have or will be affected please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss how we could help.
