Young people more likely to suffer from long Covid

YOUNGER people are almost twice as likely as over-70s to report symptoms of long Covid, figures show.

Data from the Office for National Statistics estimate that 1.1million people were suffering long Covid during the four weeks to Sept 5, up from 970,000 in the previous month.

Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, loss of smell, muscle aches, trouble sleeping and headaches.

There was a notable increase in the number of 17 to 24-year-olds reporting symptoms, rising from 1.2 to 1.9 per cent. The figure was 2.3 per cent both for 29 to 35-year-olds and for those aged 50 to 69.

But only 1.1 per cent of over-70s reported symptoms.

Self-reported long Covid is defined as symptoms persisting for more than four weeks after their first suspected coronavirus infection. The data also show an estimated 405,000 people have experienced self-reported long Covid that has lasted for at least a year, up from 384,000 a month earlier.

The ONS said the figures, published yesterday, also revealed a rise in the number of people infected for the first time within the previous eight weeks.

It added: “These new cases of selfreported long Covid follow a period of increased incidence of Covid infections in the UK during July.”

Long Covid was also estimated to be adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 706,000 people – around twothirds of those with self-reported long Covid – with 211,000 reporting that their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been “limited a lot”, the ONS said.

Long Covid was highest among people working in health and social care. The largest increase in prevalence was among those working in hospitality.