A NEW warning about the need for a coronavirus test even if you don’t have the three classic symptoms of the disease has been issued.

Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health Professor Dominic Harrison had said there are 11 other milder signs of Covid-19 infection.

They include a runny nose, a persistent headache, shortness of breath and vomiting.

The classic three symptoms which the NHS advises people to look out for are a high temperature, a new persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste.

Prof Harrison issued his alert following new guidance from the World Health Organisation.

He is advising people who display any of the raft of milder symptoms to get a coronavirus test as soon as possible.

Prof Harrison said: “At the moment, national instruction is for people to get tested if they are showing the three main symptoms: a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.

“However, many other countries advise residents to seek a test if they have any one of 11 known principal symptoms.

“They include: diarrhoea, a persistent headache, fever and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea or vomiting. Across Lancashire we’ve seen reports of residents who have only experienced, for example, diarrhoea or a persistent and unusual headache lasting more than 24 hours who later turn out to have a confirmed Covid-19 case.

“With that in mind I am now advising anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who is worried or has any doubts about their possible Covid symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.

“When you are booking a test, if you don’t have the classic symptoms, simply say you don’t.

“A few clicks later on the website, you can then choose the option which says: ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. Alongside the vaccination programme, testing continues to be one of the most vital tools to help us reduce the spread of infection.”

The WHO list of less common symptoms also includes conjunctivitis, a skin rash, discolouration of fingers or toes, chest pain/pressure and loss of speech or movement.