COVID-19 has confounded expectations since it first broke out in Wuhan, China in December. Few could have predicted it would force the world to shut up shop, grounding whole economies and upending daily lives. Another area that has proven unpredictable is symptoms.
What should I do if I notice symptoms?
According to the NHS, you must not leave your home if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or live with someone who does.
This policy, known as self-isolation, is designed to reduce the risks of spreading COVID-19 to others.
If you are self-isolating, you must:
- Not leave your home for any reason, other than to exercise once a day – but stay at least two metres (three steps) away from other people
- Not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home
- Not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home
How long should I self-isolate for?
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you’ll need to self-isolate for seven days, according to current health advice.
This is based on the scientific understanding that it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.
If more than one person at home has symptoms, self-isolate for 14 days from the day the first person started having symptoms.
“If you get symptoms, self-isolate for seven days from when your symptoms start, even if it means you’re self-isolating for longer than 14 days,” says the NHS.
It adds: “If you do not get symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 14 days.”