Covid cases remain high across the UK, with infections being driven by the highly infectious Omicron BA.2 variant.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that case numbers have started to fall across much of the country, but levels remain at record levels in Wales.
England has seen infections drop for the first time in six weeks, with 3.8 million people likely to have had coronavirus last week, or around one in 14. This is down from 4.1 million the previous week, or one in 13.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have also seen levels fall, but in Wales infections have gone up for the sixth successive week, with 231,900 people estimated to have had coronavirus last week, or one in 13 – up slightly from 230,800, also one in 13.
The ONS has said prevalence of the virus is still high across the country, despite the recent drop in cases, but figures suggest the recent surge may now have passed its peak. Although it is still too soon to know for certain if infections are on a clear downwards trend.
The new figures come after the NHS recently expanded its list of Covid symptoms to include nine more signs of illness, and the government ended free universal coronavirus testing in England.
The updated NHS list expands on the three traditional symptoms of a fever, a new and persistent cough, and a loss or change in taste or smell, to cover the wider array of symptoms linked to the Omicron strain.
Both the World Health Organisation and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US have had longer symptom lists for some time, while the UK list included just three symptoms for almost two years.
The NHS notes that many of the signs of infection are similar to other illnesses and could easily be mistaken for a common cold or flu.
People are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others if they experience any coronavirus symptoms and have a high temperature, or do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities.
Listed are the 13 of the most commonly reported symptoms of Covid which should not be ignored.
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5. Sore throat
More than 60% of people have reported suffering with a sore throat on the ZOE Covid symptom app and this symptom tends to occur in the early stages of infection. | Shutterstock
6. Sneezing
Another symptom that can easily be confused for a sign of a cold, sneezing could actually be due to Covid-19. The ZOE Covid study found that people who have been vaccinated and then tested positive for coronavirus are more likely to have this symptom than those who have not been jabbed. | Shutterstock
7. Persistent cough
Widely recognised as one of the ‘classic’ Covid-19 symptoms, a persistent cough will typically affect around four in 10 people who test positive, according to the ZOE Covid study. Persistent means coughing many times a day, for half a day or more, and it will usually be very dry. | Shutterstock
8. Hoarse voice
People infected with Omicron have reported developing a hoarse or croaky voice before starting to feel unwell. This is one of the earliest signs of infection and will typically give way to a sore throat. | Shutterstock