My 4yo has developed a nasty cough these past couple of days. She's never had a cough without other cold symptoms (runny nose etc), but I don't really think she's got coronavirus - obviously the cases are still v rare. But I was just curious so had a little google and came across 111s coronavirus quiz.
It asked if she had any of the symptoms, I said yes. It asked if she'd been to various countries, or if she had knowingly come into contact with anybody with coronavirus. I said no.
It said no need to call 111, and linked me to a page about treating a cough.
This is fine with me - I wouldn't call 111 for a cough obviously, she's fine. But it got me thinking. Are they really still only testing people who have been abroad, or in contact with somebody who has been diagnosed?
It's just a bit concerning isn't it, because kids seem to get v mild symptoms, but AFAIK they still spread it the same. Surely there could be lots of kids with a bit of a cough rocking up to school next week and spreading it throughout their class, and their classmates families?
Is it not pretty likely there are loads more cases than diagnosed, because they're only treating a v specific subset of people? From what I've read, most other countries with relatively good containment procedures are testing much more widely.
This is not a criticism of the NHS btw. The thing I'm most concerned about in all of this is how we absolutely do not have the resources to cope with thousands of extra patients in ICU beds. My family and I are not at much particular risk, but just for society in general - it's scary. I don't want them wasting their time on my kid's cough. Just wondered what everyone else thought about this issue in general - maybe I'm missing something.