Patients with symptoms advised to avoid in-person dental appointments as Covid cases rise
Official Covid isolation rules ended earlier this year, but health experts are advising people who have symptoms to tread cautiously amid a surge in cases.
Patients who have symptoms have been advised to avoid attending in-person health and dental appointments without a negative test result. The number of cases in the UK has soared by over 30% in the last week, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Case numbers have risen in all parts of the UK, with 1 in 18 people in Scotland and 1 in 30 people in England and Wales testing positive in the week ending June 30th. The number of cases has increased by more than 500,000 from the previous week.
The rise in cases has been attributed to the prevalence of fast-spreading sub-variants of the Omicron strain of the virus known as B.4 and B.5.
In light of the sharp increase in cases, health experts have encouraged the public to continue to practice good hand hygiene and social distancing where possible and wear a face covering indoors in crowded spaces. Dame Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) urged people to carry on with their lives, but to be cautious.
People who have symptoms, which include a fever, loss of taste and smell, a persistent, new cough, shortness of breath, a sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, feeling tired, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, are advised to take a test and avoid social contact. Tests are no longer free, but they can be purchased from pharmacies.
With case numbers rising, patients who have dental and medical appointments booked have been advised to contact their health provider if they have symptoms or a positive test result. It may be possible to reschedule the appointment or to arrange a virtual consultation or a phone call.
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