The NHS has issued guidance for Brits if they experience symptoms during the latest surge in Covid cases.

Experts explained how to best manage the illness, which includes avoiding certain common nighttime habits.

The XEC strain was first detected in Germany in August and has since been found in 27 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that cases of Covid increased by 21.6 per cent in England in just one week.

Symptoms of XEC are thought to be similar to other strains of Covid and 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.

If you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, the NHS warned against two common habits which many of us do at night. “Do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead,” the health body said. “Do not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus.”

If you are also experiencing breathlessness the NHS told people to “not panic” as this can make the symptom worse. Instead, experts at the NHS recommended the following to help ease symptoms:

  • 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.

Although self-isolation is no longer mandatory if you have COVID-19, the NHS urged people to stay home and avoid contact with others for at least five days if possible.

Covid booster jabs will be available until December 20 this year.

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They will be offered to those deemed most vulnerable to Covid, which include:

  • Over-65s
  • People aged between six months and 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable
  • People living in care homes for older people
  • Frontline health and social-care staff, including in care homes for older people.

The NHS will contact eligible patients directly, but they can also book their appointments now via the NHS App, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics, or by calling 119. Anyone also entitled to the flu jab will be offered this at the same time.