Share this @internewscast.com
A leading pharmacist has cautioned UK adults who test positive for Covid to self-isolate for at least five days to limit the spread of two highly contagious new strains of the virus. These new variants, named Stratus and Nimbus, have raised alarm among experts, with a primary symptom being a hoarse or sharp sore throat.
George Sandhu, the deputy superintendent of Well Pharmacy, advises those with such symptoms to take a Covid test as infection numbers continue to rise. This development comes nearly five years after millions in the UK stayed home and worked remotely due to nationwide lockdowns during the global pandemic.
The pharmacist emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of Covid, which affected 447 people in the week leading up to 24 September—a 22% increase from the previous week, according to the latest government data. Additionally, 157 individuals were hospitalized in the week ending 31 August, marking a 15.6% increase from the prior week—resulting in a total of 1,162 patients requiring hospital treatment.
Covid is a respiratory illness akin to the common cold and flu, transmitted through person-to-person contact by breathing, sneezing, and coughing.
Mr. Sandhu encourages adherence to the latest NHS guidelines as the new variants continue to proliferate across the nation, as reported by Wales Online.
Respiratory infections typically present symptoms such as a high temperature, persistent cough, and loss of taste or smell. Many individuals with the new Stratus variant of Covid have reported a hoarse voice early on, while those affected by Nimbus have noted a sharp, ‘razor blade’ sensation in their throats.
In most cases, a positive antigen test would likely have confirmed they were positive for Covid, and those infected would have been advised to follow protocol, and stay indoors. Official NHS advice recommends that people over the age of 18 who test positive for Covid should stay at home and avoid contact with other households for five days.
For those under 18, the advice drops to three days because children and young adults tend to be infectious for less time than adults. Anyone who tests positive and has elderly or vulnerable people in their lives – especially those with a weakened immune system – the NHS advice is to wait ten days before seeing them.
It is important to remain hydrated when dealing with a Covid infection because it is known to leave those infected with headaches and a blocked or runny nose. As well as offering Covid antigen tests, Well Pharmacy offers a Covid booster vaccine service.
Mr Sandhu advised: “The best way to know if you have Covid is to head to your local pharmacy and pick up a test. In the winter months, it can be difficult to know whether you have a cold, flu or Covid because they share similar symptoms.
“If a test confirms you have Covid, you should stay indoors and rest, avoiding contact with other people and wait until you test negative. Younger people seem to be infectious for less time than adults and so usually within three days it is possible that they may be testing negative.
“If you’re over 18 then it is recommended that you wait five days to have contact with anyone as this is usually when most over 18’s begin to test negative for Covid. It’s important that everyone does their part, if you are testing positive for Covid then please do follow the NHS guidelines and don’t go to crowded places.”
