There has been another increase in the number of people in the UK suffering symptoms associated with long Covid for more than a year, according to official data.
While the number of people suffering long Covid for more than a year rose by 99,000 in early March compared to the previous month to reach 784,000, the Office for National Statistics data revealed that this rise had slowed with the figure hitting 791,000 on 3 April.
The number of people suffering long Covid symptoms for at least 12 weeks rose by 100,000 from 1.2m to 1.3m over the same period.
And overall, 1.8 million people had been suffering long Covid symptoms for more than four weeks, up from 1.7m in early March.
Fatigue continued to be the most common symptom reported as part of individuals’ experience of long Covid by 51% of those responding, followed by shortness of breath (33%), loss of sense of smell (26%), and difficulty concentrating (23%).
Ian Ranger, head of claims and group underwriting at Canada Life, said the data reflected the insurer’s own experience of helping people with long Covid.
“We’ve seen long Covid rank as the third highest cause of referral this year to date,” he said.
“Long Covid not only affects people physically, but may leave individuals with challenges from a psychological and cognitive perspective. This wide range of symptoms, coupled with any length of absence that may increase in duration can leave people with ever bigger challenges, mentally and physically.
“Their support needs are vast, can be complicated and therefore our rehabilitation support is very much tailored to the individual.”
He noted that more frequent employee contact was needed using coaching techniques and comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, with return to work often needing to be protracted.