Revealed: NI Covid patients most common symptoms during second wave

In Wales more people reported symptoms (55%) than in England and Scotland. Both regions saw 47% of people report symptoms.

The analysis of figures by the Department of Health looked at symptoms reported in private households as opposed to hospitals or other care settings from October 1 to January 30.

That was during the second wave and peak of the virus in Northern Ireland.

The ailments were self reported by individuals rather than being professionally diagnosed.

It showed that in Northern Ireland just under a quarter of those with a strong positive test suffered from a cough.

Headache and fatigue/weakness were the next most common symptoms followed by muscle ache, sore throat and fever.

Around one in 10 complained of a loss of smell, nausea and loss of taste while fewer reported shortness of breath, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Comparing UK regions, 38% of those in Northern Ireland with a strong positive test were likely to report symptoms.

In England and Scotland the figure was 47% and in Wales it was 55%.

The infection survey carried out by the NI Department of Health sampled a smaller number and included only those people with a higher viral load of the disease.

The Office for National Statistics urged caution with the statistics given the small number of participants in the survey. Just 157 took part from Northern Ireland.

in total, between October 1 and January 31 coronavirus testing doubled and those found positive rocketed. Some 423,456 people were tested for the virus with 92,008 found positive.

The full results can be read here.

Belfast Telegraph