School, work and isolation rules as covid cases rise again

Thousands of new cases of covid have been reported in the UK, with experts suggesting the rise could be caused by a new variant of the disease.

In the week to April 30, the latest figures available, 1,758 new cases of covid were reported in the UK. This was up from 1,451 the previous week.

The new variants could already be dominant as the number of people hospitalized with covid in England has also increased. A new covid mutation called FLiRT, which makes up the KP.1.1, KP.3 and KP.2 strains of the virus, now accounts for 40% of all UK cases.

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Previously, people who tested positive were forced to self-isolate, parents and caregivers were told to keep children from school, and employees had to call in sick. However, there are currently no Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.

Government guidance states: “If you have Covid-19, you should try to stay at home. Most people cannot get free tests for Covid-19. You can buy tests in shops but you can’t report the result to the NHS’.

The NHS advice adds: “Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:

• have a high temperature
• you don’t feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare or your normal activities

“You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or don’t have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough and feels well enough, they can go to school or childcare.’

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