AKIPRESS.COM - Loss of taste and smell are being added to the official list of symptoms for COVID-19.

Medically known as anosmia, this will now be included in the government's definition of what patients may experience when suffering with coronavirus.

The advice now says people should isolate if they have a new continuous cough, or fever, or anosmia.

The symptoms of loss of smell and taste have been reported in many patients for several weeks.

Some countries, including the US, have already added the symptom to help clinicians spot potential patients.

Since March, government advisers on new viruses at the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), have been monitoring anosmia and other potential symptoms.