140,000 in capital with long Covid amid healthcare gap warning

ABOUT 140,000 Londoners have got long Covid, it was revealed today.

It came in a letter from the London Assembly seeking assurances that the capital’s health system has the capacity to cope with the long-term consequences of the pandemic.

About one in five people who contract Covid suffer symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness and “brain fog” for 12 weeks or more.

Early research suggested younger people and those whose illness was not serious enough to require hospital admission were more likely to suffer long Covid.

A total of 698,405 Londoners have

been diagnosed with Covid, meaning about 139,681 will be facing or have suffered long-term consequences.

The assembly today wrote to Mayor Sadiq Khan warning that “gaps” in healthcare provision could result in long Covid patients struggling to obtain support.

Dr Onkar Sahota, the GP who chairs the assembly’s health committee, said: “Some people experiencing long Covid have been unable to work or walk 10 metres without needing to take a break. Our city must be prepared to treat those who are experiencing prolonged symptoms.“

At least 10 long Covid clinics have been established in London, including at University College London Hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare and St George’s.

These bring together doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to offer physical and psychological assessments and refer patients for treatment or rehabilitation.