England Health Secretary Matt Hancock says people who are experiencing a loss or change in their sense of smell, even without any other coronavirus symptom, should self-isolate for seven days.
Mr Hancock said: “The four UK chief medical officers have today updated the case definition to include a new symptom.
“Throughout this pandemic we’ve said that if you develop a new continuous cough or a fever, then you should immediately self-isolate.
“From today we are including anosmia, which means that if you have lost your sense of smell or are experiencing a change in your normal sense of smell or taste, that can be a symptom of coronavirus, even where the other symptoms are not present.
“So, from today, if you develop a continuous cough, or fever or anosmia you should immediately self-isolate for at least seven days in line with the guidelines. Members of your household should self-isolate for 14 days.”
Mr Hancock told MPs in the Commons that “the number of people in hospital with coronavirus is half what it was at the peak” and that “the number of patients in critical care is down by two-thirds”.
