IF you display symptoms of coronavirus you must now self-isolate for 10 days rather than seven, the UK’s chief medical officers have said.
The UK’s four CMOs issued the new advice based on evidence that people with mild to moderate symptoms of the illness could still be infectious days after the onset of the virus.
People with Covid-19 are at their most infectious before symptoms show, and during the first few days of the illness.
Scientists now say they could also be transmitting the virus for up to nine days after getting sick.
The new guidelines bring the UK in line with advice from the World Health Organisation.
In a statement the CMOs say "evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with Covid-19 who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset".
They went on: "We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from seven to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
"This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission."
People must now self-isolate for 10 days if they experience any coronavirus symptoms – that’s a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
You must also self-isolate after receiving a positive test for coronavirus, even if you do not have symptoms.
If you live with, or are in a bubble with, someone who has tested positive or experienced symptoms, you must also self-isolate for a longer period of 14 days.
During self-isolation you must not go to work, school or public places, use public transport or taxis, go out to get food or medicine, have visitors in your home or go out for exercise.
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