Loss of smell or taste added to coronavirus symptoms list

A loss or changed sense of taste or smell are to be added to NHS Wales' coronavirus symptoms list.

Anyone suffering from these symptoms, or a noticeable change, should now self-isolate for seven days to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

In a joint statement with the four UK Chief Medical Officers, Dr Frank Atherton said: "From today, all individuals should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia.

"Anosmia is the loss or a change in your normal sense of smell. It can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked."

It comes after a major study, published last week by Professor Tim Spector at King's College London, found that people with a positive test result were three times more likely to report loss of smell and taste as a symptom than those who went on to test negative.

He heavily criticised the UK Government's stance on Monday, saying infected people had been encouraged back to work due to a failure to track symptoms properly.

Until now, the NHS 111 coronavirus symptom checker has listed high temperature and cough as the symptoms of Covid-19.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) listed loss of smell and taste as "less common symptoms" several weeks ago and other countries, including the US, added the symptom.

While the list of coronavirus symptoms remains consistent across the UK nations, some advice around the virus differs.

People in Wales are currently not advised to wear face masks in public, while people in England should wear face coverings when they are in "an enclosed space where social distancing isn't possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet".

Scottish Government guidance recommends using coverings including scarves, saying "there may be some benefit in wearing a facial covering" when leaving home to go to enclosed spaces, giving examples of protecting against transmission for people while on public transport or entering a food shop.

Current lockdown measures also differ across the UK.

The rules in England have been relaxed to allow people to drive to other destinations to exercise and meet one person outside of their households.

In Wales however, stricter stay-at-home rules remain in force and people must exercise locally.