PEOPLE have be told to assume they have Covid if they have a specific cold-like symptoms.
This comes as a new Covid symptom has emerged which is normally associated with the common cold.
Professor Tim Spector, founder of the Covid Zoe app, warned that a sore throat is now the most common Covid symptom – affecting two thirds of positive cases.
Other common symptoms which people often experience when they have a cold, are a headache, a blocked nose and a runny nose.
Meanwhile, fever and loss of smell are now much rarer.
Prof Spector said: “It’s clear from Zoe Health Study data that we’re now seeing an autumn wave of Covid-19, combined with increases in hospital admissions.
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Hospital admissions for the bug have doubled in the past two weeks.
NHS figures show there are now 1,129 new patients per day – up from 574 per day in mid-September.
In total, 9,631 people were in hospital with the bug in England by Wednesday – the most since the first week of August.
"We are likely to be hit with a combination of viruses," Prof Spector explained.
He added: "With the increase in colds and rhinovirus, as well as Covid-19, and the likelihood of a major seasonal flu epidemic, it’s especially important to keep vulnerable people properly protected.
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"I advise everyone eligible to get the latest autumn Covid-19 booster as well as the flu jab to provide protection from serious illness and hospitalisation, and to avoid poorly ventilated areas without FFP mask protection."
Covid cases jumped by 18 per cent in a week to their highest level since mid-August, new data shows.
Some 1.3 million Brits tested positive in the week to September 26 – around one in 50 – according to the Office for National Statistics.
That’s up from 1.1 million the week before – with a “marked” increase in cases in the over-70s.
It’s the highest UK-wide total since the week to August 16, but it is still way below the 3.8 million weekly infections recorded in early July – at the peak of the last Omicron wave.
The 20 Covid symptoms you need to know
Here are the top 20 Covid symptoms based on data from the Zoe Symptom Tracker app and the percentage of people who have experienced them
- Sore throat (58 per cent)
- Headache (47 per cent)
- Cough no phlegm (43 per cent)
- Blocked nose (41 per cent)
- Runny nose (39 per cent)
- Cough with phlegm (38 per cent)
- Hoarse voice (37 per cent)
- Sneezing (31 per cent)
- Fatigue (31 per cent)
- Muscle pain and aches (25 per cent)
- Dizzy light headed (19 per cent)
- Swollen neck glands (15 per cent)
- Altered smell (14 per cent)
- Fever (13 per cent)
- Eye soreness (13 per cent)
- Chest pain tightness (12 per cent)
- Loss of smell (12 per cent)
- Shortness of breath (11 per cent)
- Hot flushes (11 per cent)
- Chills or shivers (11 per cent)
Some hospitals are already bringing back face masks to curb the spread of the virus.
It comes as the NHS today urges six million people to get their autumn booster jab, with reminders due to be sent out from Monday.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “This week’s data shows concerning further increases in Covid-19 cases and hospitalisation rates, which are now at their highest level in months.
“Outbreaks in hospitals and care homes are also on the rise.
“Make sure you have any vaccinations you are eligible for and avoid contact with others if you feel unwell or have symptoms of an infection.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS Medical Director, said the threat of a Covid and flu ‘twindemic’ is real.
He added: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers we have already delivered more than five million doses in four weeks with hundreds of thousands of people booking their vaccine every day, but we know that there are still millions of people who have yet to take up the offer.
“If for any reason you have not yet been able to get your autumn booster, I would strongly urge you to come forward as soon as possible and get protected – the vaccine remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from covid this winter.”
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Around 26 million Brits are eligible for the booster.
You can get yours by visiting a walk-in site or by calling 119.
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