The National Health Service (NHS) is urging residents in the UK to remain vigilant as certain symptoms could indicate a Covid infection. Known symptoms of the virus include chills, changes in the sense of smell, body aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

A new, continuous cough is highlighted as a significant symptom of Covid. According to advice shared on the NHS website, this involves coughing more frequently for over an hour or experiencing three or more coughing episodes within a 24-hour period.

Additional symptoms reported by the NHS encompass headaches, sore throats, runny or blocked noses, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or nausea.

Health authorities have identified the XFG variant, also called Stratus, as the prevailing strain in the UK. The NB.1.8.1 strain, named Nimbus, is also frequently detected across the nation.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has cautioned that these newer variants might lead to a particularly painful sore throat or a hoarse voice, alongside other usual Covid symptoms.

Recent statistics from the UKHSA indicate that there were 2,618 recorded cases of Covid in the week leading up to October 15, marking a 20% decrease from previous figures.

In total, 141 deaths were recorded in the week to October 10, a rise of 41%. Up to September 30, a total of 2,077 patients were admitted to hospital, according to NHS England hospitalisation figures cited by UKHSA. This represented a 9.7% rise.

There are no longer any Government-enforced rules about isolation, but the NHS still advises those who test positive to be cautious and behave with others in mind.

Adults are advised to try and stay at home and avoid contact with others if they or their children show symptoms of COVID-19.

Children with mild symptoms can go to school if they feel well enough, according to the NHS. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, mild cough or sore throat.

Those who are under 18 and test positive should try and stay at home and avoid contact with others for three days after the day the test was taken.

Adults should do the same but for five days. The NHS advises people who test positive for Covid to avoid anyone with a weakened immune system for 10 days after taking a test.