Doctors have warned people to stick to an important 10-day rule if they have coronavirus. While cases have been surging in recent weeks, the data released shows a slight drop in infections.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said, in an update: "COVID-19 showed slightly decreasing activity, circulating at medium levels. COVID-19 positivity in hospital settings decreased slightly with a weekly mean positivity rate of 12 per cent compared with 13.1 per cent in the previous week."

People more than 85-years old saw a much higher hospitalisation rate, with the numbers remaining stable at 6.23 per 100,000 compared with 47.29 per 100,000 in the previous week.

Whilst cases may not be as high this week as they were last week, there are certain things you can do to limit the spread. As a result, the NHS has set out a series of recommendations for those who test positive.

The NHS says that "most" people do not need to take a COVID-19 test if they have symptoms. However, for those testing positive, the NHS advises that people adhere to the 10-day rule.

It said: "Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test."

They also recommend that you:

• Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old - children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults, The Mirror reports.
• Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over

Symptoms

According to the NHS, COVID-19 symptoms can include:

• A high temperature or shivering (chills) - a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• A new, continuous cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired or exhausted
• An aching body
• A headache
• A sore throat
• A blocked or runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick or being sick

"The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu," the NHS says. "Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.

"For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer." Just last month, the UKHSA pointed out that two of the most dominant variants of the virus have been the XFG variant, otherwise known as Stratus, and NB.1.8. 1, known as Nimbus.

The UKHSA warned that these strains may cause a hoarse voice or "particularly painful" sore throat alongside other typical Covid symptoms.

To help ease symptoms, the NHS says you should:

• Get lots of rest
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
• Try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough - do not give honey to babies under 12 months
• Try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness
• Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle
• Sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
• Relax your shoulders, so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness
• Lean forward slightly - support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness
• Not lie on your back if you have a cough - lie on your side or sit upright instead
• Not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus
• Try not to panic if you're feeling breathless - this can make it worse

For more information, visit the NHS website.