A health app has listed 15 possible coronavirus symptoms to be aware of as the new South African variant threatens to take hold in Britain.
Door-to-door testing has begun across eight postcodes today after the new strain was detected in 11 people who had not travelled to the country.
Experts say that, although the South African variant is more transmissible, there is no evidence to suggest it is more deadly at this stage.
Much of the focus throughout the global pandemic has been on the three 'classic' symptoms: a persistent cough, a fever and a loss of smell.
But data recently published by the leading ZOE Covid Symptom study app has said there are now thought to be 15 possible telltale signs of the disease, reports the Express.
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As the South African strain is still new, it is unclear if it causes different telltale signs to previous variants - meaning it is imporatnt to follow the proper processes if you begin to show any of the below signs
The 15 symptoms are:
- Loss of smell (anosmia)
- High temperature (fever)
- Persistent cough
- Severe tiredness (fatigue)
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Severe shortness of breath
- Skipping meals
- Muscle pains
- Hoarse voice
- New confusion (delirium)
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
The postcodes thought to be affected by the South African variant so far are: Southport (PR9), Walsall (WS2), Ealing (W7), Tottenham (N17), Mitcham (CR4), Broxbourne (EN10), Maidstone (ME15) and Woking (GU21).
Rapid testing is today being carried out on the estimated 80,000 residents within those areas, with health workers carrying out swabs on the doorstep.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday it was "imperative" people living in the named postcodes should stay at home and get a test even if they don't have symptoms.
He said: "There is currently no evidence that suggests this variant is any more severe, but we need to come down hard on it and we will.
"The stay at home message is there for everyone, but in particular in those areas it is absolutely vital that people minimise all social contact, and get a test when the opportunity arises."
Another MP has also warned residents in the affected areas to "think again" before going out to buy food, medicine and other essential goods.
Tory Michelle Donelan said people must think carefully before doing anything outside their home - even if it's currently allowed under England's lockdown.
And if they've already "got enough in" their food cupboard, they should consider making do with what they have, the universities minister added.
An expert also warned today that people who have had coronavirus could still catch the South African variant - "something that is causing concern around the world".
Health professor Linda Bauld told BBC Breakfast that reinfection was "potentially" possible and stressed the need for rapid surge testing.
She said: "If someone in the UK has been infected with Sars-CoV-2 and become unwell with Covid-19 in the past, it might be potentially, if they come into contact with this variant, they may become unwell again."
Fears over the South African variant come as it was announced Britain has vaccinated more than 9.2m people to date, the Government said yesterday.
