Millions report suffering from ongoing illness

LONG Covid sufferers have criticised the woeful lack of government funding and research into their condition – after it was revealed that more than one million people are battling the condition.

Many are dealing with several debilitating symptoms they have had for months.

Dr David Arnold, a researcher at Bristol University studying a group of 350 hospitalised

Covid sufferers for the past 12 months, said 75% had gone on to develop long Covid.

He also made the startling admission that for some, the condition could last for life. He said: “Threequarters of them still had ongoing symptoms at three months and then again at six months – so-called long Covid.

“A recent massive survey from Wuhan also showed 75% had persistent symptoms.”

The Office for National Statistics estimated this week that of the whole British population, 1.1 million are battling long Covid.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was “very worried” about the figures. Meanwhile, when Dr Arnold was asked to reassure sufferers that prolonged symptoms would come to an end, he said: “We just don’t know.”

There are currently 69 specialist Covid clinics supporting sufferers. An NHS spokesman said: “The NHS is continuing to learn about the best treatment options.

“National guidance is clear that the network of clinics should offer patients physical, psychological and cognitive assessments, as well as access to specialist medical help, and more clinics are set to open over the coming months.”

Here, sufferers call for more research into long Covid and reveal the helplessness they feel about their condition.

CONCERNS Matt Hancock