A new study has shown that one in 25 people who catch coronavirus go on to develop long Covid. Although research by King's College London indicates the omicron variant leads to fewer people having long-lasting symptoms, a significant percentage will continue to feel the effects for more than four weeks.
Dr Claire Steves, from King's College London, said: "The Omicron variant appears substantially less likely to cause long Covid than previous variants. But, still, one in 25 people who catch COVID-19 go on to have symptoms for more than four weeks. Given the numbers of people affected it is important that we continue to support them at work, at home and within the NHS."
According to the Express, the study used data from the ZOE Health Study to reveal the odds of experiencing long Covid were between 20-50 percent less during the Omicron period than the Delta period. However, the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimated that the number of people with long Covid increased from 1.3 million in January 2022 to two million as of May.
As Covid rates are climbing once more in the UK, the possibility of developing long Covid is also increased. The NHS cautions symptoms can range from shortness of breath, chest tightness, insomnia, to joint pain.
For some people, they might experience fatigue, brain fog – defined as problems with memory and concentration – or heart palpitations. It is advisable to contact your doctor if you are concerned about lingering symptoms that have not shifted for at least four weeks after you caught Covid. Your doctor could check your blood pressure, heart rate, and request blood tests to check for any other underlying health conditions.
"If the symptoms are having a big impact on your life, you may be referred to a specialist rehabilitation service," the NHS notes. "These services can help manage your symptoms and help you recover."
