Today is International Long Covid Awareness Day, a day to acknowledge everyone living with the condition and those caring for them.
Long Covid is a devastating, life-altering condition with over 200 different symptoms. It’s likely that no two people will experience the condition in the same way.
Long Covid is having an impact on long term ill health and disability across society, in turn impacting on employment and the economy.
Nearly 3 million adults and over 100,000 children are diagnosed with Long Covid in the UK alone. There will be many more not yet diagnosed.
Every infection or reinfection runs the risk of developing Long Covid, regardless of any pre-existing conditions. It’s indiscriminate in that previously fit and healthy people have developed Long Covid. Some people have developed Long Covid symptoms even after a mild infection.
It should not be ignored. It cannot continue to be ignored. However, sadly all specialist services that were previously set up in England in recognition of the scale of the illness were closed within 9 months of the General Election. Nearly a year later, this has left millions of people without access to any specialised medical support to live better with the condition unless they’re fortunate enough to be able to pay.
15th March, 2026
