If you’re feeling under the weather and suspect it could be Covid, our response now is vastly different from when the virus first emerged in 2020.
With new variants of the virus spreading, many are questioning whether they need to isolate if they test positive for Covid. One such variant causing concern is the new FLiRT Covid variant, which is already making its presence felt across the UK. Speaking on This Morning, Dr Zoe explained that while there are recommended actions for those who test positive, there aren’t any hard and fast rules. However, advice is readily available on what steps should be taken next.
She explained: “Regarding rules, there aren’t any rules, there aren’t any regulations at the moment but there is advice out there especially if you’ve tested positive. The advice – and the wording is really important – is to stay at home if you can for five days from you that positive test to protect other people.”
Talking to a member of the public on air she replied: “I know you said you work on a reception and you mentioned you work in a hospice as well, so I think it’s particularly important [to isolate] if you’re likely to be coming into contact with people who are deemed to be vulnerable like those who are over 75, people with immunosuppressant conditions They do still have to be careful.”
Whilst others have to be careful, many people should be okay. The doctor adds: “Most of us can get on with life as normal and we do still need to look after them [vulnerable groups] so in your case it will be if you’re able to stay at home for five days.
“Stay away from work for five days and 10 days trying to stay away from anybody who is severely immunosuppressant – well not to have close contact for 10 days. So you can pop round and drop off something but close contact is staying very close to them for many hours so that’s the kind of advice but there aren’t any rules as such.”
The World Health Organisation has warned that anyone planning on going on a summer holiday this year should take Covid precautions – including a vaccine, mask and testing. The WHO has issued a fresh warning over Covid, telling people not to forget that the disease is still widespread and deadly, killing 1,700 people every week across the globe.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that vaccine coverage is dangerously declining among the over-60s and health workers, two of the groups most at risk of dying from Covid.
Some hospitals in the UK have brought back mandatory mask wearing and some are asking people with Covid symptoms, who do not need medical care, to stay away. In France, the Tour de France has made masks mandatory for anyone coming into contact with competitors or teams after a number of Covid cases.