There has been a surge in cases thanks to two highly-infectious new strains and the changing weather
A leading pharmacist has warned people who test positive for Covid to stay at home for at least five days to stem the spread of two highly-infectious new strains of the virus. Stratus and Nimbus are the two latest variants of Covid, with experts warning that a key symptom of many of those infected is a hoarse or ‘razor blade’ sore throat.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent of Well Pharmacy, is urging anyone displaying tell-tale symptoms to get a Covid test – as infection numbers continue to rise. It comes five years after millions of Brits were forced to stay indoors and work from home during the nationwide lockdowns of the global pandemic.
George wants everyone to know the signs and symptoms of Covid, which was contracted by 447 in the week to September 24 – a rise of 22 per cent on the seven days previous, according to the latest Government figures. And 157 were people admitted to hospital in the week up to August 31, a 15.6 per cent rise on the week before it – taking the number of patients being treated in hospital to 1,162.
Covid is a respiratory infection like the cold and flu. Similar to these other infections, Covid spreads from person-to-person through breathing, sneezing and coughing.
Now, Mr Sandhu wants Brits to ensure they follow the latest NHS guidelines as the two new variants continue to spread across the nation.
The symptoms of any respiratory infection are similar with a high temperature, new continuous cough, and a loss of taste or smell among the most common reported symptoms. With the new Stratus variant of Covid, many patients have reported a hoarse voice as an early symptom, whereas those infected with Nimbus have complained of a razor blade feeling in the throat.
In most cases, a positive antigen test would likely have confirmed they were positive for Covid, and those infected would have been advised to follow protocol, and stay indoors. Official NHS advice recommends that people over the age of 18 who test positive for Covid should stay at home and avoid contact with other households for five days.
For those under 18, the advice drops to three days because children and young adults tend to be infectious for less time than adults. Anyone who tests positive and has elderly or vulnerable people in their lives – especially those with a weakened immune system – the NHS advice is to wait ten days before seeing them.
According to the UK Health Security Agency: “Most people with COVID-19 will no longer be infectious to others after five days. If you have a positive COVID-19 test result, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test.”
Health experts say it is important to remain hydrated when dealing with a Covid infection because it is known to leave those infected with headaches and a blocked or runny nose. As well as offering Covid antigen tests, Well Pharmacy offers a Covid booster vaccine service.
George Sandhu said: “The best way to know if you have Covid is to head to your local pharmacy and pick up a test. In the winter months, it can be difficult to know whether you have a cold, flu or Covid because they share similar symptoms.
“If a test confirms you have Covid, you should stay indoors and rest, avoiding contact with other people and wait until you test negative. Younger people seem to be infectious for less time than adults and so usually within three days it is possible that they may be testing negative.
“If you’re over 18 then it is recommended that you wait five days to have contact with anyone as this is usually when most over 18’s begin to test negative for Covid. It’s important that everyone does their part, if you are testing positive for Covid then please do follow the NHS guidelines and don’t go to crowded places.”