Testing for greater number of symptoms

[locked2020]

Given that there are such a wide range of symptoms and that symptoms can present differently in children, it seems strange that government are sticking to just three. Also, do some people "lie" about the symptoms they've got in order to get a test if they have other symptoms? I can see why people would do this, but it probably then skews the data for symptoms too. Is it a testing capacity thing? A not wanting to know full numbers of cases thing? It seems sensible to me to increase testing capacity and include other symptoms especially with schools returning, the drive to go back to work even if you can work effectively from home and winter etc.

[Frazzled13]

I think it's a given that people will lie, yes. But given the capacity I doubt that's a huge problem - we've been to a drive through test centre twice, both times we've seen maybe one other car, and when booking it online have had our pick of any slot we wanted for the whole day.

I believe the reasoning behind just having the three symptoms is because the data show that the vast majority of people who do have it, will have at least one of the three main symptoms, even if they also have other, unrelated symptoms.
If that's true it seems sensible to just list those three to stop lots of unnecessary testing (and perhaps more importantly for individuals, unnecessary self isolating).

[Frazzled13]

Obviously yes, lying about symptoms in order to be tested will skew data about how many people without these symptoms would test positive. But I assume they aren't just looking at the self test data to determine this. I assume it's coming from places like the Zoe app where people are asked to get tested for other symptoms, so they can try and see if there's a correlation.

[Sandyjag]

I agree, for example it seems common to have a sore throat and aches to start with. Why not be encouraged to get tested then. Also with kids symptoms as you say, partic with schools going back. You actually don’t have to lie to get tested I have twice for different symptoms and just said so on the phone and on the web selected ‘other’ for symptoms.

[CKBJ]

I posted this on another thread that according to the latest report that children aren’t really affected, the researchers stated that the children admitted to hospital were likely to have : fever, cough, nausea and or vomiting (younger children) and headache, sore throat and stomach pains (older children). This should be looked at as a matter of urgency.