The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) updated guidance now includes nine more signs of a coronavirus infection. However, as the NHS cautions, many of the new symptoms ‘are very similar’ to cold and flu symptoms, making it even more difficult to diagnose without a Covid test.
Free testing ended for most people in England on 1 April, meaning that people now have to pay for a test if they want to clarify whether they are infected.
The new recognised symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Aching body
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick.
These join the original UK recognised signs of a Covid infection of a fever, new continuous cough and loss of sense of smell or taste.
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said that the extended list is only helpful if it is supported by an ‘accessible testing system’.
‘With the new list of symptoms so wide-ranging, it will be extremely difficult for providers and parents to be able to differentiate between Covid symptoms and everyday colds or bugs,’ said Leitch.
‘While we would hope that most parents would keep a child who is feeling unwell at home as part of normal infection control, without having easy access to Covid testing, there is a good chance that Covid-positive children will be sent back into their setting when they are feeling better but still infectious, especially as the alternative – buying a test every time their child is unwell and showing any of the 12 symptoms – is simply not affordable for many parents.
‘While we recognise the need and desire to move on with normal life, the pandemic is not yet over and Covid remains a potentially serious illness for many. Extending the symptom list will only make Covid cases easier to spot, and outbreaks easier to manage, if it is supported by an accessible testing system. Without it, this change just risks creating more confusion.’
'Children can have runny noses or sore throats for a number of reasons.'
Jonathan Broadbery, director of policy and communications at the NDNA said, ‘Moving to the new guidance in England, early years settings will have to rely more on pre-existing sickness, absence or exclusion policies, treating Covid-19 as they would other illnesses in children.
‘For many of the new symptoms listed it would already mean that children are too unwell to attend settings, such as diarrhoea and vomiting. However, children can have runny noses or sore throats for a number of reasons. This creates a situation which is very difficult for nurseries and other providers to navigate and clear communication with parents will be crucial.’
He added, ‘We also know that ongoing Covid-19 absences are exacerbating the existing workforce pressures. It is vital that the Government continues to look at ways to support providers and their teams in this sector to ensure settings aren’t faced with the prospect of temporary or even permanent closure as a result.’
The updated guidance is available here