Study to focus on health of Covid-19 sufferers

A study is to examine the long-term health of people who have had coronavirus.

The Covid in Scotland Study (Ciss) will begin recruiting soon, funded by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and led by Glasgow University.

Researchers hope to identify how many people in Scotland continue to be unwell after having the virus, known as long Covid, as well as what their symptoms are and how it affects their lives.

Professor Jill Pell, professor of public health at the university, will lead the study in collaboration with Public Health Scotland and the NHS in Scotland.

She said: “Most people recover quickly and completely after infection with Covid-19, but some people have reported a wide variety of long-term problems.

“It is crucial that we find out how many people have long-term problems, and what those problems are, so that we can set up systems to spot problems early and deal with them effectively.”

Using NHS health data records, all Scottish adults who have had a positive test – as well a sample of people who tested negative for the disease – will be sent a text message inviting them to take part.

If they agree, individuals will be asked to use a speciallydesigned app to answer questions about their health, before and after Covid-19, and whether the virus has had any lasting effects on their lives.

Participants who tested negative will be asked similar questions about their current and past health so researchers can compare answers with those who had the virus.

Visit the website: covidinscotstudy.scot/