A STOCKBRIDGE-based charity supporting patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste says the government must not ignore a rush of new cases which could be “markers” of Covid-19.

AbScent says it has been inundated with messages of concern from primarily young people who have suddenly developed anosmia – the loss of smell – but otherwise have no coronavirus symptoms.

Prof Barry Smith – who is a member of Abscent’s advisory board and the director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study – said: “There has been a huge increase in the number of people reporting a sudden loss of smell and we need to know if this is a marker for coronavirus even among asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers, who may need to self-isolate.”

AbScent is sharing its data with two leading ear, nose and throat specialists. The resulting study is due to be published in a leading medical journal soon.

One of the specialists is ENT Prof Claire Hopkins at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. She said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a significant increase in the number of patients, particularly in younger age groups, presenting with new onset loss of smell. While the focus of the NHS has been managing those patients with severe respiratory disease, many of these patients have been left without access to information or support.”