Long Covid: 17 million people affected in Europe

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At least 17 million people were affected by Long Covid symptoms in Europe during the first two years of the Corona pandemic, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

One in eight people infected with Corona suffers from Long Covid
For the model calculation of the humans affected by Long Covid symptoms, the University of Washington evaluated cases in 53 European states, as the European office of the World Health Organization (WHO) communicated on Tuesday. The criteria was a symptom duration of at least three months in 2020 and 2021.

Women are more likely to be affected by long covid than men.
The study suggests that women are twice as likely as men to develop Long Covid, the WHO added. In addition, it said that the risk of long covid increases dramatically after a severe corona infection that requires hospitalization for treatment. According to the model calculation, one in three affected women and one in five affected men would struggle with symptoms of Long Covid after such a severe course.

Call for more outreach in the fight against Long Covid.
“We do have a lot to learn about long covid,” said Hans Kluge, director of the Copenhagen-based WHO Europe Region, during a WHO meeting in Tel Aviv. “But these data make it clear that we urgently need more analysis, investment, support, and solidarity with those affected.” He said that millions of people suffered debilitating symptoms in the months following a Corona infection. “They must not continue to suffer in silence. Governments and health partners must work together to find solutions based on research and evidence.”

Globally, long-covoid symptoms were estimated to have affected about 145 million people in the first two years of the pandemic, according to the research.