The self-isolation period for those with coronavirus symptoms or a positive test in the UK has now been extended.
New evidence shows that people with the virus who are mildly ill or are recovering have a "real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset."
A statement published today from the four chief medical officers in the UK states: "In symptomatic people COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.
"Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID-19 who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset."
The announcement from England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, continued: "We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from seven to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
"This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock previously hinted at the change, and told Sky News this morning: “This is a decision that’s clinically led. The chief medical officer will be setting out details later today.
“I can’t steal his thunder but what I will say is we will always do what is necessary to protect people and we’re guided by the clinical judgment, by the science in this.”
It comes amid health leaders’ fears of a “second spike” and an ongoing row over 14-day quarantine measures put in place for travellers returning from Spain.
Advice for those who have been in close contact with someone with the virus is expected to remain unchanged.
NHS guidance currently states that people must self-isolate for 14 days if they live with, or are in a bubble with, someone that has symptoms or has tested positive or they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock will make a speech later in which he will set out what the government is calling the NHS People Plan - which includes suggestions staff could use messaging services such as WhatsApp so patients can have quick and easy access to information.
Flexible working, more regular staff morale surveys and a requirement for NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups to publish progress reports on black and ethnic minority representation within the workforce are also among the plans.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said that the combination of a spike of cases with “exhausted staff” while the NHS tries to rebuild services could prove “challenging”.
He told the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus: “I would say in relation to the second spike issue or something coming, the levels of concern among our members – the people who are leading NHS trusts, who are leading in primary care and all levels in the systems – is very high.
“There’s real concern about winter and the compounding factors there, but also about an earlier spike.”
