Coronavirus: Can university students get a fee refund? And other questions

Michelle Roberts Health online editor

Scientists have said that the “incubation period” - the time between catching the virus and starting to show symptoms - is five days on average. However, some people can have symptoms earlier or much later than this.

The World Health Organization advises that the incubation period can last up to 14 days. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.

Knowing and understanding the incubation period is very important. It allows doctors and health authorities to introduce more effective ways to control the spread of the virus.

Michelle Roberts Health online editor

Both viruses are highly contagious.

On average, it's thought people with the coronavirus infect two to three other people, while those with flu pass it on to about one other person.

There are simple steps you can take to stop the spread of flu and coronavirus.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face unless your hands are clean
• Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue and then put it in the bin

BBC News Health team

For four out of five people Covid-19 will be a mild disease, a bit like flu.

Symptoms include a fever and dry cough. You may feel unwell for a few days but you should be back to normal within a week or so after the symptoms appear.

If the virus gets well established in the lungs it can cause breathing difficulties and pneumonia. About one in seven people may need hospital treatment.

Michelle Roberts Health online editor

Asthma UK's advice is to keep taking your daily preventer inhaler (usually brown) as prescribed. This will help cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.

Carry your blue reliever inhaler with you every day, in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up. If your asthma is getting worse and there is a risk you might have coronavirus, contact the online NHS 111 coronavirus service.

BBC News Health team

Coronavirus can be more severe in older people and those with pre-existing conditions such as heart and lung illnesses, or diabetes.

There is no evidence that disabled people who are otherwise healthy - and who don't, for instance, have respiratory problems - are at greater risk from coronavirus.

BBC News Health team

Covid-19 can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.

But as this is a new virus, no-one will have any immunity to it, whether they have previously had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus such as Sars.

BBC News Reality Check

Wearing masks has become commonplace not just in hospitals but also among the general public.

It presents major challenges for some deaf people who rely on lip-reading to communicate, but who also need to stay safe from catching the virus, especially if in a hospital setting.

The charity Action on Hearing Loss says there are some clinically approved see-through covered face masks that help enable lip-reading. However, they do not provide enough protection against aerosols spread by coronavirus, and wouldn’t be right for health and social care workers to use during this pandemic.

They say it might be worth using a small whiteboard to communicate. There are also some subtitling or captioning apps that may provide some help.

James Gallagher Health correspondent

Quarantining cities and telling people to stay at home may seem extreme, but the alternative is to let the virus spread unrestrained.

There is no vaccine for this new virus, as there is for flu, which makes elderly people and those with underlying health conditions very vulnerable to its effects.

In China, lockdown measures appear to be working as new daily cases of the virus have now started to decline.

BBC News Health team

All personal protective equipment (PPE) worn during the highest-risk situations - such as aprons, gloves and surgical masks - should usually be disposed of after a single use or session.

However, guidelines now say NHS staff can reuse some kit where it is safe to do so. For example, some gowns could be washed by the hospital laundry and reused.

The Health and Safety Executive says it recognises "some compromise" is needed in these "exceptional circumstances". But doctors and nurses are not happy with this situation.

The Royal College of Nursing says its members can refuse to treat patients as a "last resort" if adequate PPE has not been provided.

BBC News Health team

If you’re living with someone who’s self-isolating, you should keep all contact to a minimum and, if possible, not be in the same room together.

The person self-isolating should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened, and keep away from other people in the house.

If you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll also need to self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started - this is how long it can take for symptoms to appear.

If you get symptoms, self-isolate for seven days from when your symptoms start, even if it means you're self-isolating for longer than 14 days. If you do not get symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 14 days.

BBC News Health team

The current government advice is to access medical assistance remotely, wherever possible.

However, those with a scheduled hospital or other medical appointment during this period, should talk to their GP or clinician.

This is to ensure that they continue to receive the care they need and consider whether appointments can be postponed.

BBC News Reality Check

If you live with your partner, they count as being part of your household. If neither of you is showing coronavirus symptoms and you are already in close contact, having sex won't increase the likelihood of you catching the virus from one another. If one person does have symptoms, they should be self-isolating in a separate room.

Using contraception such as condoms won't alter your risk of catching the virus, as having sex will bring you into close physical contact anyway.

"If you are going to touch each other's genitals it's likely that you will potentially be kissing at the same time - and we know the virus is passed through saliva," Dr Alex George told the BBC's Newsbeat.

"Essentially, any possibility of transfer of coronavirus - from your mouth to your hands, to genitals, to someone else's nose or mouth - increases the risk of passing on coronavirus."

James Gallagher Health correspondent

Pregnant women are being advised by the UK government to stay at home and keep contact with others to a minimum. However, they should attend antenatal clinics as normal.

There is no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are more likely to get coronavirus. But, for a small number of women, being pregnant may change the way their body deals with a severe viral infection.

The government’s chief medical adviser says this is a precautionary measure until scientists find out more about the virus and that "infections and pregnancy are not a good combination in general”.

James Gallagher Health correspondent

Mothers pass on protection from infection to their babies through their breast milk.

If your body is producing antibodies to fight the infection, these would be passed on through breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding mums should follow the same advice as anyone else over reducing risk - cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough, throw away used tissues straight away and wash hands frequently, while trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

BBC News Health team

In general, children appear to be relatively unaffected by coronavirus, according to data from China and other countries.

This may be because they are able to shake off the infection or have no symptoms or only very mild ones similar to a cold.

However, children with underlying lung problems, such as asthma, may have to be more careful.

All schools in the UK are currently closed, except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers.

BBC News Reality Check

You can walk your dog as much as you like.

The government has said people can exercise outside as many times a day as they want, and can spend time outside not exercising, as long as they remain 2m (6ft) away from anyone outside their household.

There is no guidance from the government on whether your dog should be on a lead, but the Royal Parks, for instance, urge visitors to do this, to help ensure people practise social distancing.

BBC News Reality Check

The government has said people in England can exercise outside as many times a day as they want. They can also spend time outside not exercising, as long as they remain 2m (6ft) away from anyone outside their household.

The Welsh and Scottish governments have also said people can exercise outdoors more than once a day.

You can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household – so you can only play team sports with the people with whom you live. You still can't use playgrounds, outdoor gyms or other outdoor leisure venues, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.

In England, you can drive to outdoor open spaces to exercise irrespective of distance, as long as you follow social distancing while you are there. However, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, people are still being told to avoid any travel which is not essential. You cannot cross the border from England to Scotland or Wales to exercise.

BBC News Reality Check

Yes it is.

Government guidance on staying at home says: "Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents' homes."

If neither parent nor child is showing symptoms of the virus or self-isolating, children of separated parents are still allowed to stay with either of them.

However, the Family Division of the High Court has said that, in England and Wales, if one parent is worried that moving their child would be going against public health advice, they may "vary the arrangement to one that they consider to be safe", even if the other parent does not agree.

Where this is the case, family courts will expect parents to allow contact by video chat or phone.

Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent

There are currently no formal restrictions on moving house, although the government has strongly advised against it where possible. It says that while there is no need to pull out of transactions, buyers and renters should delay moving so they can observe social distancing and self-isolating guidelines.

If the house you are moving into is empty, it's fine to carry on as long as these rules are observed during the removals process. If the property is occupied, the government is encouraging the buyer and seller to find an alternative moving date further down the line.

Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent

People affected by coronavirus will be able to delay their mortgage payments for up to three months.

It is important to bear in mind that any interest and capital repayments which are missed, will be added to the mortgage balance.

This means that any future monthly mortgage bills are likely to be slightly higher.

Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent

Energy companies have promised to help you if you have a pre-payment meter. So you may be able to authorise a friend to top up your energy card for you.

You could also ask your supplier to send you a card by post which is already topped up. The government says that if it's urgent the supplier should be able to add credit directly to your account. You should be able to top up online as well.

And you will have to pay back any credit your supplier gives you. So you should contact them to ask about when and how to do this.

BBC News Reality Check

If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund to the original form of payment within seven days, although many airlines are struggling to meet that deadline.

Ryanair, for example, says customers who want a cash refund will receive it ''in due course'' as it is dealing with a much higher volume of requests than usual, with fewer staff.

Many airlines are trying to avoid giving refunds and are offering vouchers for another flight or a free re-booking instead.

If the airline later folds, the voucher will probably become invalid. And any rebooking could affect the terms of your travel insurance.

Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent

Self-employed people who have symptoms or have been told to self-isolate may apply for two benefits - universal credit or employment and support allowance.

Normally, you would be eligible after four days of being ill. However, the government has responded to the spread of coronavirus by saying that companies will temporarily pay SSP from the first day off.

But charities are worried that there is still a five-week delay before universal credit is paid.

Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent

If you are employed, your employer has an obligation to pay your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks.

Normally, you would be eligible after four days of being ill. However, the government has responded to the spread of coronavirus by saying that companies will temporarily pay SSP from the first day off.

In the case of small and medium-sized employers, the government will fund sick pay for the first 14 days.

Eligible employees are entitled to £95.85 a week.

Sean Coughlan Education correspondent

Universities are currently intending to run their planned courses in the autumn, but what is not clear is whether they will be teaching online with no students on campus, or whether students will be back and being taught face-to-face. Or else it could be a mixture of both - with some online teaching and some in person.

There are still more questions than answers on this, such as how student accommodation might work if social distancing is in place or whether there be any social life or freshers’ week events. But we do know that tuition fees will be charged in full, even if classes are being taught online rather than in person.

But there has been a change in the application timetable, so that people applying for places do not have to make a firm choice until 18 June. There might be more information to help with a decision by then.

BBC News Health team

Following a drop in hospital patients with Covid-19, the NHS has now outlined its approach to resuming other services in England over the next six weeks.

Urgent outpatient appointments will go ahead and routine surgery could be restarted, but GPs will continue to use online consultations, and regular testing will be offered to all staff. The NHS says the pressure on many staff will "remain unprecedented" and employers must keep them safe.

Routine elective surgery will be restarted, with priority given to "long waiters", and cancer referral and diagnostic appointments will be brought back to “pre-Covid-19 levels”.

Discussions are taking place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on how to resume normal NHS services, but no announcements have yet been made.