EARLIER this week we published an article about a mum who tested positive for Covid-19 when she wasn’t displaying any of the common symptoms.

Mum had no symptoms when she tested positive 

The article caused much confusion about the symptoms of Covid, when you should get tested, and when you should self-isolate.

Here, we look at the official government guidelines on Covid explaining what the symptoms are, when to get a test, when to self-isolate, and for how long.

Symptoms

The government states that the most important symptoms of Covid-19 are the recent onset of any of the following:

  • A new continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

It advises that if you have any of these symptoms you must stay at home and arrange to have a test

What to do

  • If you have Covid-19 symptoms or have a positive test you must stay at home and begin to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms start 
  •  Arrange to have a Covid-19 test if you have not already had one
  • The test will determine how long you must stay at home and self-isolate
  • You must stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit or a test site appointment
  • If you receive a positive test result you must complete a 10-day isolation period
  • If your test is negative, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are well
  • If you do not have symptoms but have tested positive for Covid, stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the day the test was taken
  • If you develop symptoms after your test, restart your 10-day isolation period from the day the symptoms start
  • Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable
  • Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat

You could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for Covid and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate. 

If you live in the same household as someone with Covid-19

  • Stay at home for 14 days
  • The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house developed symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken
  • If you do not have symptoms of Covid-19 yourself you do not need a test. Only arrange a test if you develop Covid symptoms
  • If you develop symptoms and your test result is positive, follow the same advice for people with Covid-19 to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started, regardless of where you are in your 14-day period

You could be fined if you are identified as a contact of someone with Covid-19 and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate and do not stay at home and self-isolate.

If you have a negative Covid-19 test result

A negative result means the test did not find Covid-19 at the time the test was taken.

If you have a negative test result, you can stop isolating as long as:

  • You are well
  • No-one else in your household has symptoms
  • If anyone else in your household has symptoms, they have also received a negative test result
  • You have not been advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
  • You have not arrived into the UK from a non-exempt country within the last 14 days

Anyone in your household who is isolating because of your symptoms can also stop isolating.

If your test result is negative but you still have symptoms, you may have another virus such as a cold or flu. You should stay at home until you feel well. Seek medical attention if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Returning to your normal routine

You can return to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after 10 days if your symptoms have gone or if you continue to have just a cough or anosmia. This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone.

If you still have a high temperature after 10 days, stay at home and seek medical advice.

When to self-isolate

You should self-isolate immediately if:

  • You have any symptoms of Covid – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • You have tested positive for Covid
  • You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive
  • Someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
  • You’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS Covid-19 app
  • You arrive in the UK from a country with a high Covid risk