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Essentials Latest information COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing

You must let us know if you test positive for COVID-19by completing the positive covid reporting form

Check the latest government guidance on what to do if you have symptoms, test positive, and for information on self-isolation.

 

Symptoms 

Main symptoms 

The main symptoms of coronavirus are: 

  • a 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 3 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. 

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms. For further information on symptoms please visit the NHS website. 
Further research has shown that there are several less-common, ‘early symptoms’ of COVID-19. PHE have advised that these may include loss of appetite; diarrhoea; nausea/vomiting; extreme tiredness; headaches; joint pain; muscle ache; runny nose; sore throat; sneezing; altered consciousness; seizures.  

You do not need to self-isolate or get a PCR test if you experience these without any of the main three COVID-19 symptoms. However, it is important to pay particular attention if you experience these ‘early symptoms’. If you feel unwell with any of the ‘early symptoms’, we recommend that you:  

  • monitor the symptoms closely, limit contact with others by staying at home as much as possible, and pay extra attention to cleaning any shared areas after use; and 
  • take an LFT test 

Remember that you should self-isolate and get a PCR test, if you develop any of the main symptoms - even mildly. 

Further information about self-isolating is available on the government website. 
 

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests: For those with COVID-19 symptoms. 

 • If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, however mild:  
Book or order a test on the government website as soon as symptoms begin or call 119. The test takes less than a minute and you can expect your result the next day. 
You can book an appointment at a testing centre, for example at the testing facility on Whiteknights Campus, car park 11 next to the Pepper Lane entrance or order a postal test kit.  

Tests must be booked in advance and you will not be able to get a test without a booking. 
If you are requesting a PCR test by post, a step-by-step guide on home testing, including posting your test, is available. The post box on campus outside Whiteknights House has been designated a ‘priority post box’ by Royal Mail for returning COVID-19 tests. International

If you receive a positive result for COVID-19, you must:

  • Follow all government advice to self-isolate and stay home
  • Follow all instruction from the NHS and engage with Test and Trace system (including advising Test & Trace that you are connected to the University)
  • Notify the University by using the positive test reporting form
  • Report your absence to your School in the usual way (contact your Support Centre or Henley help desk)
  • If you live in University halls, use the Home@Halls app to notify the team so they can support you
  • Let all member so if your household know as they may also need to isolate in line with government guidance

If you have downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app, you can register your positive test result so Public Health England can notify anyone you have been in close contact with (they will not reveal your identity).