People urged to 'isolate' if they spot these signs of new Covid XEC strainThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued new advice for people who are feeling unwell, as a new strain of Covid, known as XEC, is thought to be highly transmissible
Over 600 cases have been recorded globally, including 82 confirmed cases within the UK. This comes as Covid cases are on the rise again across the UK, with data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing a 21.6 percent increase in England in just one week
In the seven days up to September 25, there were 2,797 recorded cases of Covid - an increase of 530 from the week earlier. In the week up to September 20, there was a 50 percent increase in Covid deaths in England, with 134 recorded.
What to do if you have Covid
Self-isolation rules in the UK are no longer mandatory. But the NHS recommends you try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms and either:
Have a high temperature
Or do not feel well enough to go to work, school or do your normal activities
It says: "You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare."
If you test positive for Covid, the NHS says you should:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test.
Symptoms of XEC are thought to be similar to other strains of Covid and can include:
A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
A loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or exhausted
An aching body
A headache
A sore throat
A blocked or runny nose
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/people-urged-isolate-spot-signs-30109296
