Nine new Covid-19 prefixes have been added to the UK official list – more than two years after the UK went into its first lockdown.
This means that headaches, sore throats and a runny nose are now recognized as symptoms of getting sick with the virus.
But there are significant questions as to why this announcement was not made earlier.
‘Feeling sick’ is another gift that you can have Covid-19, government experts say.
But those who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus may wonder if expanding before the list of illnesses could have saved lives.
It is reported that the list of symptoms has been updated just days after the government ended its offer of free public Covid-19 test.
It comes at a time when levels of covid infection have reached record highs in the UK, with an estimated five million people currently infected.
New symptoms have been added to the NHS website, with fever, a new and persistent cough, and three previously recognized symptoms of loss or change of taste or smell.
Complete list of new covid symptoms according to the NHS
According to the NHS, coronavirus symptoms in adults may include:
- High temperature or shivering
- A new, persistent cough
- Loss or change of taste or smell
- Weakness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A sore body
- Headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Anorexia nervosa
- Diarrhea
- Feeling sick or getting sick.
The website adds a note: ‘The symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.’
Both the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have long had a long list of symptoms.
But in the UK there were only three symptoms on the list for almost two years.
The government’s chief medical officers need to sign off on an extended list of symptoms.
People with chronic covidosis report a longer list of symptoms.
However, for most people, it is no longer free to test whether they are currently infected with the virus.
While some people still qualify for free exams in certain situations, most people are now expected to go without paying.
Under the previous testing system, people will only qualify for PCR tests – which are performed in a lab – if they have one of the three main traditional symptoms or if they are invited to a test.
Professor Tim Specter, chief scientist at the Zoe Covid-19 Symptom Tracker app, wrote on Twitter: ‘The main symptoms of NHS Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) have finally changed after 2 years of lobbying and Zoe app user input – hurray! Sadly their order is wrong – but it can help reduce a start and infection. Thanks to the ZOE loggers! ‘
In March, Professor Specter was highly critical of the government’s “refusal” to recognize a “wide range of symptoms.”
He suggested that the rate of infection could increase with people deciding not to accept a comprehensive list of illnesses, excluding isolation counseling, and withdrawing free tests.
Professor Specter said in March: ‘The government’s refusal to acknowledge the broader symptoms and to exclude isolation counseling and testing is probably driving the incredible number of cases we see today.
‘Many people are no longer isolated when symptoms appear because they feel they no longer need to or because they or their employers still do not recognize symptoms such as colds or sore throats.’
On Friday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Covid-19s in the UK had about 4.9 million people in the week ending March 26, up from 4.3 million in the previous week.
The ONS says about one in 13 people in England became infected with the virus that week.
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