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Local Authority > Walsall Public Health > Coronavirus (COVID-19) > Academic Year 2021–2022 > COVID-19 symptoms, testing and self-isolation > COVID-19 symptoms including those associated with the Delta variant

COVID-19 symptoms

Do you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19?

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

  • high temperature – this 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 three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate along with anyone you live with and get a PCR test. You should all stay at home until you get the results.

You can get a PCR test online either by booking an appointment at a local test centre or having a test kit delivered to home or by calling 119.

If you've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 you can get a standard COVID-19 test (a PCR test), whether or not you have symptoms.

Read more on the NHS website about getting tested for COVID-19.

Do you have other symptoms?

Walsall borough is now one of a growing number of areas where people with new and unexplained other symptoms are recommended to seek a PCR test to help slow the spread of the virus. These symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath or unexplained fatigue
  • Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
  • Headache that lasts a long time
  • Myalgia (muscle aches or full body pains)
  • Sore throat
  • Blocked or runny nose

Although these are not the usual symptoms associated with COVID-19, we would like to encourage school staff and pupils to get tested as a precaution.

You can register for a PCR test at a local testing centre online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and tick the box that says your local authority asked you to take a test. Or you can call 119 and say the same thing to book a test. You can also choose to have PCR test delivered to your home.

Anyone who has a positive test must self-isolate immediately and follow the advice given by the local contact tracing team or the national test and trace service. It is vital that people identify their close contacts to help stop the spread of the virus.

If anyone is worried about symptoms or not sure what to do then they should phone NHS 111. Do not go to your GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in these places if you are infected.

Read more about the extended list of symptoms on the CDC's website. The World Health Organisation website also contains information on known symptoms.

Read more on the Delta variant COVID-19 symptoms (walsall.gov.uk)

 

Page updated 26/08/2021