COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has been confirmed in more than 30 million people across the world. If you develop any of the key coronavirus symptoms, you should get tested for the infection straight away.
The UK has seen a steady rise in the number of coronavirus cases over the past few weeks.
Almost 10 million people across the country have been put into local lockdowns, in a bid to stop the rising spread of the infection.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now ordered all pubs and restaurants to shut at 10pm, while nobody should meet with more than five other people for the foreseeable future.
You could be at risk of the infection if you develop an unusual skin rash, scientists have revealed.
Almost 10 percent of COVID-19 patients have reported a new rash on their body, fingers or toes, according to the COVID Symptom Study App.
More than a fifth of people using the app, that also reported a positive swab test, said that a rash was their only symptom.
Scientists that launched the app, from King’s College London, have urged the government to add a new rash to the official NHS list of coronavirus symptoms.
Making the public more aware of the link between a rash and COVID-19 would not only reduce the number of positive tests, but it would also save lives, they said.
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“Thanks to our millions of app users we were quickly able to confirm the link between skin rashes and COVID-19,” said leader of the COVID Symptom app, Tim Spector.
“But also the timing of the rashes, their associations with other COVID-19 symptoms, as well as the different types of rashes across different age groups.
“We are extremely grateful to all app users who provided pictures via the app as without them none of this would have been possible.
“We have asked the government to add a new skin rash to the official NHS list of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as it will reduce infections and save lives.”
The most common type of COVID rash is similar to hives, it added.
Other rashes include a chickenpox-type rash, a ‘prickly heat’ rash, and even the so-called ‘COVID toes’.
COVID toes is the name given to a specific rash that develops on the extremities.
It has been likened to chilblains; painful inflammation of blood vessels that may appear when you’re cold.
Meanwhile, a high fever, a new cough, and a change to your sense of smell or taste are the most common early coronavirus symptoms, according to the NHS.
In the UK, you should only get tested for the infection if you develop any of these symptoms.
Some patients have also reported a sore throat, headaches, and even hiccups, on top of the more common signs.
More than 46,000 people have died from coronavirus in the UK.
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