Cut to self-isolation period may increase Covid hospital risk, says NHS chief

Pressure is on government to cut time to five days in England, but experts say this may lead to rise in community

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Reducing self-isolation to five days for positive Covid casescould increase the infection risk for vulnerable patients in hospital if the approach is not completely safe, a senior NHS leader has said.

Since 22 December, people in England who test positive for Covid can cut their self-isolation period from 10 days to seven if they have a negative lateral flow test on day six and day seven and no high temperature. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have stuck with the 10-day rule.