Table 2. Local recommendations for PPE and testing, based on contemporaneous national Public Health England guidance.

	PPE	Testing
Until 25th February 2020	Full length gown, gloves, correctly fitted FFP3 mask and full face visor (level-2 PPE) Side room isolation	Clinical syndrome with relevant travel history
25th February	As above for suspected cases with travel history For severe community acquired pneumonia without travel history: gown/apron, gloves, and fluid repellent mask (FFP3 for aerosol generating procedures); no need to isolate pending test	Clinical syndrome with relevant travel history Severe community acquired pneumonia
8th March	Fluid resistant surgical masks, gloves, apron and optional eye protection for symptomatic but unconfirmed inpatients (level-1 PPE). Eye protection to be worn if risk of eye contamination. Full level-2 PPE for confirmed cases and Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs).	Clinical syndrome with relevant travel history Severe community acquired pneumonia
13th March	Fluid resistant surgical masks, gloves, apron and risk assessment for eye protection for suspected and confirmed Covid-19 inpatients (level-1 PPE) Surgical masks on entry to Covid-19 cohort wards Apron, gloves and FFP3 mask on intensive care FFP3 mask, disposable gown, eye protection and gloves for AGPs	Any respiratory illness requiring admission to hospital and either radiological evidence of pneumonia or ARDS or influenza-like illness with fever > 37.8C
14-16th March	As above All suspected Covid-19 patients admitted directly via acute medicine (bypassing the emergency department)	Any influenza like illness
1st April	Universal minimum level-1 PPE across all wards Level-2 PPE for AGPs as above
6th April	AGPs: gloves, disposable gown, FFP3 mask, eye protection Working in higher risk area (ICU/High Dependency Unit) with confirmed cases: gloves, apron, gown, FFP3 mask and eye protection Level-1 PPE elsewhere	Diagnosis based on either positive swab or ‘Covid-19 syndrome’ (influenza like illness and compatible radiology and no alternative explanation)
24th April		Universal admission testing for all patients irrespective of clinical syndrome