Which of the following symptoms does the Welsh Government recognise as symptoms of Covid-19: fever; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; chills; repeated shaking with chills; muscle pain; headache; sore throat; and new loss of taste or smell?
We take the advice of all four nations’ Chief Medical Officers on the case definition of Covid 19 and the symptoms that require medical attention or are possible indicators of infection. These are decided on an all-UK basis by the four Chief Medical Officers, informed by the clinical evidence and the latest research. The Chief Medical Officers issued a joint statement on the 18 May advising that anosmia or changed sense of normal smell or taste should lead an individual to self-isolate for seven days.
The other symptoms mentioned can also occur in COVID-19 infection but do not add sensitivity or specificity when added to the diagnosis at population level.
When we launched our testing service on 18 May, which enables the public to apply for a home test kit, we listed the following symptoms as the most common indicators of possible infection with COVID-19:
- new continuous cough;
- high temperature;
- loss of or change to sense of smell or taste.
We asked that before requesting a test, a person is suffering from at least one of these symptoms.