It comes at a time when restrictions are over and the government has abolished the universal provision of free Covid tests. The legal requirement to be isolated after testing positive has also been removed, with Boris Johnson asking people to take personal responsibility. See what to do if you catch the virus and for how long you can be contagious.
When are you most contagious with Covid?
For previous variants of Covid-19, such as Alpha and Delta, the World Health Organization (WHO) said symptoms could begin to develop anywhere between two days and two weeks after infection. However, the incubation period – the time between infection and the onset of symptoms – for Omicron and its offspring is thought to be much shorter: between three and five days. Harvard University says: “People are thought to be more contagious early in the course of their disease. “With Omicron, most transmission seems to occur during the one to two days before the onset of symptoms and two to three days after. “People without symptoms can also transmit the coronavirus to others.” Health Minister Sajid Javid said in December: “A recent analysis by the UK Health Insurance Agency (UKHSA) shows that the window between infection and infectivity may be smaller for the Omicron variant than the Delta variant.” The data show that the majority of people are no longer contagious seven days after the onset of symptoms or the first positive test, especially when vaccinated, and the vast majority are no longer contagious after 10 days.
How long can you be positive?
Most people will stop being positive within 10 days of the onset of symptoms or the first positive test. However, it is possible to continue the positive test for weeks or even months after the virus appears. The good news is that even if you continue to be positive after a long time, it is very unlikely that you are truly contagious. The Gavi Vaccine Alliance explains: “The time it takes to test negative after infection with Covid-19 depends on the severity of the case, but also on the test itself. “PCR tests that trace parts of viral genetic material (RNA in the case of Covid-19) in our body and enhance it so that we can detect it are extremely sensitive and can even detect the presence of a few viral fragments. “This is because viral RNA fragments can remain in our body long after the infection is complete and the virus has been removed from our system.”
What are the symptoms of Covid?
The NHS now lists the following as official Covid symptoms:
High temperature or chills – high temperature means you feel hot when you touch your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) New, persistent cough – this means a lot of coughing for more than an hour or three or more cough episodes in 24 hours Loss or change in the sense of smell or taste Breathing difficulty Feeling tired or exhausted It hurts body Headache Sore throat Clogged or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhea Feeling unwell or sick
For most of the pandemic, only the first three symptoms were reported by the NHS. However, he added nine more signs in early April, explaining: “The symptoms are very similar to those of other illnesses, such as the common cold and the flu.”
More about Covid-19
What to do if you have Covid?
In England and Wales, people are no longer legally required to isolate themselves after developing Covid symptoms or testing positive. Scotland and Northern Ireland still have mandatory isolation. However, the UK government continues to advise people with Covid to stay home and avoid contact with others. If you are positive or have symptoms, the NHS advises you to follow these steps:
Try to work from home if you can – if you can not work from home, ask your employer about the options available to you Stay home if you can – this helps reduce the number of people you come in contact with Avoid contact with people at higher risk of Covid-19, especially if their immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness than Covid-19, even if they have been vaccinated. Follow the tips on how to avoid spreading the virus to the people you live with Let people in your home know that you’re positive or have symptoms – they can then take steps to protect themselves, such as wearing a face mask that suits them, staying away from you as long as they can. wash their hands regularly Contact your healthcare provider and let them know about a positive test result or your symptoms if you are asked to make an appointment for a medical or dental appointment in person. Ask friends, relatives or neighbors to bring you food or other necessities
If a child or person aged 18 or under tests positive, they should try to stay home and avoid contact with other people for three days. This starts the day after the test. Previously, individuals were advised to leave the isolation after five full days if the test was negative for two consecutive days or after 10 days if they continued to be positive.
