Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the illness caused by a new strain of the coronavirus virus type. It affects the respiratory system and the main symptoms can include a cough, high temperature and loss of smell or taste.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this 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 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
Is it a cold, flu or coronavirus?
What do I do if I think I have coronavirus?
If you, or anyone you live with, shows any of the following signs of Covid-19 DO NOT COME IN TO WORK – call and tell us that you suspect you have coronavirus and then:
- Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
- Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.
Getting a test
You can get a test online on GOV.UK – https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/antigen/name. Call 119 to get a test if you have problems using the internet.
Confirmation
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