As Covid-19 infections continue to rise across the UK, millions of people are thought to currently be infected with the virus.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that almost 4% of the English population had tested positive for coronavirus at the end of June, with higher figures (4.93%, 5.36%, and 5.94%) in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, respectively.
The number of hospital admissions is also increasing amid new BA.4 and BA.5 covid variants. And there are no longer any restrictions around the virus in the UK, and as we learn to live with covid.
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Previously, lateral flow tests (LFTs) were given out free of charge from the government, meaning people could routinely check whether they have the virus. Now, tests can only be obtained from pharmacies and other stores - for a fee.
In a bid to limit the spread of the virus, many of us are still taking regular LFTs, despite having to pay for them. But a huge group of people shouldn't take them unless told to by a medical professional, according to the latest government advice.
According to guidance on Gov.uk, children and young people aged 18 and under are "not recommended" to be tested for coronavirus "unless directed to by a health professional".
It also says children and young people should only stay at home "where they can" if they have a high temperature. "Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting", the latest advice says.
Anyone under the age of 19 who does test positive for covid should "try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can".
This is considerably less time than the five days currently advised for adults who test positive. The Gov.uk site explains this is because "children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults."
For more information on what to do if you test positive for, or have symptoms of, covid click here.
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