Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Fit for WorkCoronavirusLong CovidRespiratoryReturn to work and rehabilitation

Two million may still have long Covid

by Ashleigh Webber 2 Feb 2023
by Ashleigh Webber 2 Feb 2023 Fatigue is a common long Covid symptom
Shutterstock
Fatigue is a common long Covid symptom
Shutterstock

Nearly two million people in the UK are thought to have long Covid, but number of people experiencing lingering Covid-19 symptoms is falling.

The latest self-reported long Covid figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that at the beginning of January 2023, 1.97 million people were experiencing symptoms that continued for more than four weeks.

One in three has experienced side effects – which can include tiredness, shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating – since before Alpha became the main Covid variant, in November 2020, which suggests some people have had long Covid symptoms for more than two years.

Three-quarters, or 1.5 million people, with long Covid symptoms said the condition affected their day-to-day activities. Nineteen per cent said their ability to undertake daily activities had been limited significantly.

Fatigue was the main symptom, reported by 71%, followed by difficulty concentrating (52%), shortness of breath (48%) and muscle aches (47%).

The number of people reporting long Covid is falling, but at a slow rate.

The ONS said its data should be interpreted with caution, as it is based on estimates extrapolated from self-reported symptoms.

As symptoms can affect people in different ways, and the condition is not yet fully understood, employers should support staff with long Covid on an individual basis, said Oliver Wheatley, life and disability lead at employee wellbeing consultancy Lockton People Solutions.

Long Covid

Changes to NHS sick pay hit those with long Covid

Covid-19 complications added to list of ‘prescribed’ diseases

Long Covid therapy reports ‘exciting’ results

“The prevalence of long Covid and its often-debilitating effects is a stark reminder that the effects of the virus are far from over for many. This illness can severely impact daily lives, reducing or even preventing people’s ability to work or enjoy full lives. Much is still unknown about the long-term effects and both implications and longevity can vary significantly,” he said.

“Long Covid affects people physically and emotionally so employers must take the appropriate steps to ensure their employees are fully supported. This could take the form of benefits packages and making small but impactful changes. The focus of initial conversations with those suffering should establish whether they feel they have everything they need as opposed to when they can return to work.”

He said that a realistic and graduated return to work plan should be agreed between the employee, employer and an occupational health professional.

“This will reassure workers that there is no pressure to go back to work before they are ready. It is crucial that workplaces offer a comprehensive benefits package and their insurer is notified as early as possible. This is vital in establishing the workplace as a source of support and a point of contact that long Covid sufferers can reach in times of need.”

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor of OHW+ and HR and wellbeing editor at Personnel Today. Ashleigh's areas of interest include employee health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and skills development. She has hosted many webinars for Personnel Today, on topics including employee retention, financial wellbeing and menopause support. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport magazines, touching on some of the employment and wellbeing issues experienced by those in road haulage.

previous post
Employers only spending half of apprenticeship levy funds
next post
Tribunal cases involving transgender issues on rise

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Long Covid symptoms can include ‘non-trivial’ gastrointestinal issues

10 Mar 2023

Long Covid symptoms can lead to higher disease...

6 Mar 2023

Long Covid fatigue linked to changes in brain

3 Mar 2023

Changes to NHS sick pay hit those with...

30 Jan 2023

Unvaccinated at greater risk of death or heart...

20 Jan 2023

Long Covid will often resolve itself within a...

13 Jan 2023

Millions still reporting long Covid, but numbers may...

6 Jan 2023

Long Covid therapy reports ‘exciting’ results

19 Dec 2022

Quarter of working-age people with long Covid not...

5 Dec 2022

TUC joins call for long Covid to be...

21 Nov 2022

  • Neurodiversity: How to make the workplace more inclusive (webinar) WEBINAR | Can your organisation truly be inclusive...Read more
  • How HR can facilitate internal talent mobility PROMOTED | Should internal talent mobility be a priority...Read more
  • Bereavement in the workplace: How training can help HR get it right PROMOTED | HR professionals play an essential role...Read more
  • UK workforce mental wellbeing needs PROMOTED | The mental wellbeing support employers are providing misses the mark...Read more
  • The Workplace Today Guide: Why it pays to support your staff’s financial health PROMOTED | The cost of living crisis has hit...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today