Coronavirus is once again on the rise across the United Kingdom, with the country appearing to enter a fourth wave. It is said that more than a million are currently infected with the virus across the nation on the whole.
According to the latest Government data, the percentage of people testing positive in England rose for the week ending September 17 - equating to around one in every 65 people having the virus at the time.
The Mirror reports that an estimated 1.1million people in private households across the UK tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest ONS survey, which covers the seven days to September 17 in England, and the week to September 30 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Read more: New dominant Covid symptom as experts warn UK already in new wave
But now we're learning to live with the virus as per the Government's guidance, what are you supposed to do if you've tested positively for Covid-19?
Testing positive (adults) -
The National Health Service (NHS) say that if you have Covid-19, you are able to pass it onto other people for up to ten days from when your infection begins. Many will however no longer be infectious after five days, so during that initial period, you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others.
You should also steer clear from meeting people at higher risk from Covid - such as those with lower immune systems and the elderly. This is advised for the full ten day period.
This overall period also starts from the day after you did the test that came back positive.
Testing positive (children) -
If a child or young person aged 18 or under tests positive for Covid-19, the NHS said they should stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days. This again starts from the day after they did the test.
While children and youths are in fact still infectious, they tend to be so for a lesser time than adults. If a child is well and free from temperature after three days, there's a much lower risk that they'll pass Covid-19 onto others.
However, it is still advised that they do not mix with those at heightened risk from Coronavirus.
Testing negative -
If you do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities, go to work or to school but test negative, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, the NHS said. You should also avoid meeting people at higher risk.
You can go back to your normal activities if you feel well enough to do so and do not have a high temperature,
When to seek medical advice -
If you've tested positive for Covid-19, the NHS recommended calling 111 or speaking to your GP if:
- you're feeling gradually more unwell or more breathless
- you have difficulty breathing when you stand up or move around
- you feel very weak, achy or tired
- you're shaking or shivering
- you've lost your appetite
- you're unable to care for yourself – for example, tasks like washing and dressing or making food are too difficult
- you still feel unwell after 4 weeks – this may be long COVID
The NHS further urges you to go to A&E or call 999 if:
- you're so breathless that you're unable to say short sentences when resting
- your breathing has got suddenly worse
- you cough up blood
- you feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- you have a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- you collapse or faint
- you feel agitated, confused or very drowsy
- you've stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual
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