Urgent response as new long Covid stats prompt US$45 million initiative in the US

USA — In a recent study, shocking statistics have come to light, revealing that the specter of long Covid continues to haunt the United States, affecting not only adults but also a significant number of children.

Approximately 962,000 children and a staggering 17.9 million adults in the United States grappled with the enduring effects of long Covid in 2022, making up 1.3% of children and a concerning 6.9% of adults.

Long Covid, as defined by the report, encompasses symptoms persisting for at least three months post-positive Covid-19 test or a doctor’s diagnosis.

This debilitating condition has left children and adults alike grappling with neurocognitive changes, chronic fatigue, and low energy levels.

The scale of the issue is underscored by estimates from the US Department of Health and Human Services, suggesting that up to 23 million Americans have experienced long Covid at some point.

To tackle the pressing need for better understanding and treatment of long Covid, the US Health and Human Services Department has committed an unprecedented US$45 million in funding.

This initiative seeks to improve access to care and promote best practices for managing this lingering condition.

In a parallel move, the Biden administration unveiled the Office of Long Covid Research and Practice in July, further emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

Meanwhile, on the African continent, Covid-19 has taken a significant toll, with approximately 13 million confirmed cases, and South Africa alone contributing nearly a third of these cases.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa stands as one of the few organizations on the continent providing guidance on long Covid.

According to Waasila Jassat, a public health specialist at South Africa’s NICD, there has been limited research into how Covid has affected South Africans with persistent symptoms.

Jassat conducted a year-long follow-up with around 5,000 South Africans experiencing long Covid. The findings revealed that among those hospitalized with Covid, 47% continued to suffer symptoms six months later.

Even among non-hospitalized Covid patients, 19% experienced persistent symptoms at the six-month mark.

These symptoms ranged from fatigue (32%) and shortness of breath (16%) to headaches (10%), lack of concentration (10%), and muscle pain (9%).

Many participants reported that these symptoms had a profound impact on their work, leading them to change jobs or take on roles with reduced responsibilities.

Jassat stressed the importance of training and retraining healthcare workers to recognize and care for individuals with long Covid.

At present, only two public hospitals in Cape Town offer long Covid clinics, and some private insurance companies provide coverage for long Covid, including access to specialists, tests, investigations, and oxygen rehabilitation.

The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is actively working on a capacity-building initiative to equip healthcare workers with the skills to diagnose and manage long Covid.

As the specter of long Covid continues to loom, experts from the Makerere University Lung Institute in Uganda emphasize the need for increased attention and awareness.

Dr. Ivan Kimuli, the head of clinical services at the institute, has noted that they encounter cases of long Covid on a daily basis, with individuals who previously battled acute Covid-19 continuing to experience a range of persistent symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and brain fog.

Experts stress the importance of prioritizing lung health, advocating for a healthy diet and regular exercise to maintain lung function and overall well-being.

 These lifestyle choices can aid in better recovery from Covid-19 and help prevent the persistence of long Covid’s debilitating effects.

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