There has been a rise on Covid cases in Scotland recently with 6,215 new cases reported within the last 24 hours.
It comes not long after Scotland ditched most of it restrictions with masks set to become guidance rather than law on April 18.
But whilst people in England no longer need to isolate even if they test positive for Covid, people in Scotland must still adhere to isolation rules.
READ MORE - Scotland home lateral flow tests to stop mid-April as 'transition' phase implemented
This means that you will have to isolate for 10 days - however, you may be able to leave early if you meet the correct criteria.
However, in order to know you have a confirmed positive case, you will have to test - but this is all coming to an end with Clinical Advisor Jason Leitch confirming that the country will approach a 'transition phase' as home lateral flow tests (LFT) will stop becoming available from April 17.
And now because of this, pharmacists are sending a reminder to people to stay aware of coronavirus symptoms following the changes in testing.
So what do you need to know about LFTs and when should you be taking one?
What LFT rules are changing and what does it mean?
From April 18 until May 1, advice regarding lateral flow testing will change.
The advice is:
- People who do not have symptoms no longer need to take lateral flow tests twice a week
- With the exception in health and care settings, the advice to test regularly will also end from 18 April for workplaces, and for early learning and childcare settings, mainstream and special schools, and universities and colleges
- People who are a close contact will still be advised to test daily using LFTs for seven days and on each occasion when visiting a hospital or care home. This advise will continue until end of April.
- If you have Covid symptoms you should get a PCR test
Contact tracing of positive cases will also continue until the end of April, and PCR test sites will remain open during this period, though opening hours and locations may change during the transition.
When should you take a LFT?
Well Pharmacy says it is hearing from patients who are unsure when they need to get a lateral flow test as Scotland prepares to scarp its home testing kits.
With each variant, symptoms may change slightly. As ever, people must look out for the following:
- A high temperature or shivering (chills)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
But other symptoms, with some not seen in former outbreaks of the virus can include:
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick.
The pharmacy chain is urging people to consider getting an LFT when:
- Visiting vulnerable relatives or friends
- If you have spent time with somebody who has Covid-19 however you don’t have symptoms
- Being in close proximity to a large number of people, such as at an airport, on a flight
- When you have cold-like symptoms but no fever, loss of smell/taste, or cough
- If you have had Covid and are wondering if it is safe to return to work
