A fifth of patients at two clinics in the north of England have long-term Covid, research finds
One in five patients registered with two GP practices in the north of England have long-term COVID-19, according to a report revealing wide regional differences.
In the North West of England, more people than average reported long-term Covid symptoms, with just over one in twenty people (5.5%), followed by the North East and Yorkshire (5.1%).
Southern regions of England had the lowest rates overall, with the South West at 3.4% and the South East at 3.6%. The average rate of long Covid across England was 4.4%.
The analysis found that a fifth of patients at the Parklands practice in Bradford and the Margaret Thompson Medical Centre in Liverpool had long Covid. The ten GP practices with the highest prevalence of long Covid are in the north of England.
The report also found that the prevalence of long-term Covid in the most deprived areas of England was 6.3%, almost double the rate in the least deprived areas.
Symptoms of long Covid include extreme fatigue and brain fog, which persist 12 weeks after first contracting the virus.
Dr Stephanie Scott, the report’s lead author and senior lecturer in public health at Newcastle University, said: “Long Covid is a complex condition that goes beyond physical and mental symptoms and affects other parts of people’s lives, including their sense of self and professional identity. This can then lead to experiences of social isolation.
“Currently, there is little evidence-based treatment for long Covid and the healthcare system focuses on treating symptoms. This needs to change. Our research has offered a glimpse into the reality of what it is like to live with this often debilitating condition and the knock-on effects it has on people’s personal and professional lives.
“I hope that the evidence presented in this report reaches policymakers and receives the attention it deserves, so that more research into long Covid is funded and measures can be put in place to enable employers to better support their staff with long Covid.”
Hannah Davies, Executive Director at Health Equity North and Deputy Director at the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: “Covid-19 hit the country unevenly with a disproportionate impact on the northern regions – more people died, we were in lockdown for longer, had higher unemployment and experienced a greater decline in mental wellbeing. Once again, we are seeing the lasting impact of the pandemic hit hardest in the north of England.
“This pattern is reflected in our latest report, which shows that the North has the highest rates of people experiencing long Covid. And it is likely that these figures could be much higher, as many people are not reporting their symptoms.
“The report provides a timely analysis of the health and economic impact of long Covid that we hope will spur government action. The regional differences in disease rates and the relationship between deprivation are clear. It is also clear that more research needs to be done to understand this devastating condition so that people can be diagnosed, treated and supported.”
NHS England has been contacted for comment.