Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and the Prince of Wales all said they had experienced “mild symptoms” after testing positive for coronavirus.
But what are the symptoms of Covid-19 and can they get worse over time?
– What symptoms do most people experience?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most people infected with Covid-19 will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: How the daily death rate has hit a new high
Common symptoms of the respiratory disease include a fever – which NHS England says is usually a temperature of 38C or above – tiredness and a dry cough.
– Could there be other symptoms?
The WHO says other symptoms can include shortness of breath, aches and pains, and a sore throat.
Some people have also reported a loss of taste and/or smell, as well as abdominal pains.
– When do symptoms begin to show and can they get worse?
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said that it takes about five days from getting Covid-19 for symptoms to show, and then up to a week to recover.
Those who get more seriously ill tend to do so after about five or six days of having the illness, he added.
– Can I get Covid-19 and not experience any symptoms?
According to the WHO, some people become infected but do not develop any symptoms and do not feel unwell.
– Who is most at risk?
Those with an underlying medical condition and people over the age of 60 have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms.
The WHO says that around one out of every six people who gets Covid-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
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