1 in 20 could have Covid symptoms ‘for rest of their lives’

THE UK’s fifth Covid-19 wave might be drawing to an end, but experts are beginning to estimate that one in 20 sufferers might have to contend with certain symptoms of the virus for the rest of their lives.

That is, of course, on top of the 200,000 people from this country who are thought to have died as a consequence of the pandemic over the last two-and-a-half years.

Effects of the chronic condition known as Long Covid are now being analysed closely, with long-term symptoms varying in their severity, as reported by the Daily Express.

Towards the lower end of the spectrum are those people who have lost their sense of smell and taste, which a recent study has predicted will never be regained by up to one in 20 of those infected by the coronavirus in the UK.

The study’s leader – Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo of the University of Trieste – said: “Loss of smell and taste adversely affects quality of life by depriving those affected of several everyday pleasures and social bonds. People can also experience anorexia, food aversions, malnutrition, anxiety and depression.”

A permanent loss of smell is known as parosmia. Other potential consequences of Covid such as heart palpitations or chronic fatigue syndrome, meanwhile, are deemed more serious.

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) now estimates that more than two million people in the UK are living with Long Covid.

Dr Kiren Collison, chair of the NHS Long Covid taskforce, added: “It’s important people know they’re not alone, and that the NHS is here for them.”