The NHS has issued an urgent warning about a persistent cough as a key symptom of coronavirus, urging anyone experiencing a new continuous cough, fever, or loss of sense of smell or taste to self-isolate and get tested immediately. The guidance comes amid rising cases in parts of the UK and ongoing reports of testing delays.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the testing system, attributing problems to a 'colossal spike' in demand for tests. He told MPs that a second national lockdown would be 'disastrous for the UK economy'. The government plans to prioritise NHS and care home testing in the coming days.
Schools are adopting measures to reduce spread, but parents are advised that mild cold-like symptoms such as sore throats or runny noses are not coronavirus symptoms, and children with these can attend school. However, if a child has a continuous cough, fever, or change in taste or smell, they must stay home, isolate for at least 10 days, and be tested. Other household members should self-isolate for 14 days from symptom onset.
Long queues formed at a walk-through test centre in Southend-on-Sea, prompting council leader Ian Gilbert to urge people only to attend with an appointment and symptoms, warning that asymptomatic testing takes capacity away from those who need it.
