Loss of sense of smell is now added to UK’s official list of coronavirus symptoms

Loss of sense of smell or taste have been included to the UK’s official list of coronavirus symptoms, the country’s Department of Health and Social Care announced on Monday.

A UK government statement said “from today all individuals should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia.”

Anosmia stands for the loss of or changes in a person’s sense of smell. The department of health also said “it can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked.”

The Chief Medical Officers for the four nations of the United Kingdom approved this expansion of symptoms, adding that they “have been closely monitoring the emerging data and evidence on Covid-19 and, after thorough consideration… are now confident enough to recommend this new measure,” the statement read.

Anosmia emerged as a potential coronavirus symptom in March, when doctors in the United States called for it to be added to the “list of screening tools” for the pandemic.

Around the same time, ENT UK, a professional organisation representing the UK ear, nose and throat surgeons, said in a statement released on its website that anosmia could be another symptom of infection with the coronavirus.