Covid is surging again this summer – these are the symptoms to look out for

Coronavirus has seen a spike in infections this summer and it’s feared the wave could get worse as summer continues.

Not only did US President Joe Biden test positive for the virus last month, but at least 40 athletes at the Paris Olympic Games have been infected.

Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the percentage of positive tests has been rising across 84 countries in recent weeks.

There were more than 155,000 reported Covid-19 cases worldwide in the 28 days to July 21, the most recent figures – which is a more than 16,000 increase on the previous 28 days.

Most of those positive cases are concentrated in Europe and Russia, with other hotspots in New Zealand, Thailand, China and Colombia.

Within that time period, 22,600 cases were reported in Russia, 17,500 in Great Britain, 17,400 in Greece, 16,900 in New Zealand, and 12,300 in Malaysia.

As infections spike, what are the symptoms of coronavirus and how can you treat it?

Coronavirus symptoms

Coronavirus symptoms could take up to two weeks to appear after being infected with the virus.

Your symptoms could range from mild to severe, or you might not have any symptoms at all.

Those symptoms include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick

Common symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to the common cold or flu, so if you’re unwell you’ll need to get tested to know what you’re dealing with.

How do I treat coronavirus?

Most mild symptoms of coronavirus can be treated with over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

The NHS advises you stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or don’t feel well enough to go out.

It’s also advised to get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.

However, if your symptoms get worse or don’t get better, or if you have a high temperature which lasts for more than five days, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111.

You should go to A&E or call 999 if you are breathless when resting, start coughing up blood, collapse or have a seizure, or have a rash which doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it.

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