Sudden headache and fatigue among new covid test triggers

Tuesday 13 April 2021

Islanders that suddenly experience a headache or fatigue are being advised to quarantine and get tested following a review into the common early warning signs of covid.

Jersey’s Government is now recommending that individuals isolate immediately along with their household and arrange a PCR test if they encounter any one of the following for “no obvious reason”:

• fever
• cough
• loss of smell/taste
• fatigue
• headache
• sore throat
• diarrhoea
• muscle ache

It’s hoped that the more stringent testing criteria will help the island maintain low levels of infection on the island as it continues to open up.

Deputy Medical Officer of Health Dr Ivan Muscat explained: “The main 3 symptoms of covid-19 – fever, a new, continuous cough and loss/change of smell and taste – remain and islanders should continue to be aware of these main three.

“However, considering that variants may present differently, evidence shows that expanding the list of symptoms will increase covid diagnosis and lead to the reduction of spread.

“If you have the sudden onset of any one of the eight symptoms that develop for no obvious reason, you should go into immediate isolation within your home, and book a test through the helpline. Anyone you live with should also go into isolation until you receive a negative result. Test results on average are returned within 24 hours so people shouldn’t need to isolate for long if they are found to be negative.”

Other covid-19 symptoms include shortness of breath, skin rash, conjunctivitis, confusion /irritability, nasal congestion, and vomiting – but none of these alone are a trigger for isolation and testing.

 “The long-term effect of this increased testing can reduce covid’s impact in Jersey. By further controlling and suppressing active cases, we could avoid the need for implementing or maintaining restrictions.

“By increasing our attentiveness to symptoms, we can help avoid transmission and protect others from potentially becoming infected. It will enable our progress to continue the reconnection roadmap and maintain our freedoms by avoiding blanket restrictions.

“I encourage everyone to be extra vigilant for any new symptoms and to think of them as a trigger to call the Coronavirus helpline to book a test. Doing so will improve case finding and better support further reconnection and protect our vaccination programme.”