Long Covid, or post-Covid-19 syndrome, is a prolonged persistence of symptoms associated with a coronavirus (Covid-19) infection which extends beyond the typical recovery period of around two weeks. Symptoms are wide ranging, but commonly include fatigue, breathlessness, chest pain and problems with memory and concentration or “brain fog”. ONS data in September 2021 suggested that, of UK people with self-reported long Covid, 817,000 (84%) first had (or suspected they had) Covid-19 at least 12 weeks previously and, for 384,000 (40%), at least one year previously. These pages provide news and guidance on the impact of long Covid as individuals, the medical profession and employers start to understand it.
The failings of the UK’s sick pay system need to be put firmly in the spotlight when the Covid-19 public inquiry starts hearing witness evidence from next week, the TUC has said.