With free Covid testing kits no longer available for the majority of people, determining whether you have coronavirus has become more difficult. Of course, test kits are still available to buy at some pharmacies and supermarkets and with one expert recommending continuing to test especially if you begin suffering from two specific symptoms, it could be worth investing in a pack.
Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Covid ZOE app, the symptom reporting platform, says there are twice as many Covid cases at the moment as there are common colds, saying “the ratio has never been so high”. He underlined that people should still use Covid testing if possible, and urged them to stay away from others if they feel unwell.
Current figures show that across England, cases of people testing positive of Covid continue to rise. Up to and including Saturday, October 1, there were 50,317 cases in the previous seven days - up 21.8%.
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Professor Spector said on the topic of predominant signs of Covid that symptoms where “much the same except generally more fatigue and sore throat - so best to assume it’s Covid!" According to Wales Online, he said: "Hopefully, this wave will be over soon. Try to get tested if you can," adding "stay away from other people until you feel better.”
The expert said the UK was at the start of a new wave of Covid infections, with the predominant symptoms being a sore throat, more so than previous symptoms seen in other waves. He told the Independent: “It looks like we’re in the start of the next wave and this time it’s affected older people slightly earlier than the last wave.
"Many people are still using the government guidelines about symptoms which are wrong. At the moment, Covid starts in two-thirds of people with a sore throat. Fever and loss of smell are really rare now – so many old people may not think they’ve got Covid. They’d say it’s a cold and not be tested.”
There are currently 92 people admitted in Nottingham University Hospitals with Covid. The figure shows an increase of 27.8%.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), advised anyone with a cold-like illness to wear a face covering in public. She said: “If you are unwell, it is particularly important to avoid contact with elderly people or those who are more likely to have severe disease because of their ongoing health conditions.”
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