Experts have warned that at least 100,000 people, including children, are at risk of developing Long Covid in the coming weeks as coronavirus cases surge across the UK. Hospital figures showed a 20 per cent jump in daily admissions in the week to 22 December, and a report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is expected to confirm further increases.
Long Covid refers to persistent symptoms lasting weeks or months after the initial infection. Professor Steve Griffin of the University of Leeds expressed concern that children and young people are often overlooked and left exposed due to a lack of proper mitigations in schools.
The highly contagious JN.1 subvariant is not thought to be more severe than recent variants, but reduced vaccination levels over the past two years have increased the risk of serious symptoms. Professor Christina Pagel of University College London estimated that tens of thousands, possibly up to 200,000, could develop Long Covid from the current wave.
Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick University noted that vaccination reduces the severity and duration of Long Covid, but restricted access to the latest booster jab—only available to over-65s, the clinically vulnerable, and healthcare workers—means many are more likely to suffer acute and long-term effects.
Before vaccines, around 10 per cent of infections led to Long Covid, but the risk is now lower due to a less severe virus and vaccination. However, experts stress that the current wave could still result in thousands of new cases.
