Researchers say impact of rise to 2 million cases meant it was ‘a significant part of pandemic’s legacy’
Long Covid is costing the UK up to £1.5bn a year in lost earnings, researchers say, after the number of people suffering persistent symptoms of the virus doubled over the last 12 months.from 1 to 2 million showed it was likely to be “a significant part of the pandemic’s legacy”.
On average, those who stop work because of long Covid would be losing £1,100 a month in earnings, adding up to a total loss of income of almost £1.5bn a year, though employers that pay to cover sick leave would pick up some of the tab. He said the impact would be felt most by low-income families and workers with pre-existing health problems that made them vulnerable to the virus.
“While previous research has shown that women, those with pre-existing medical conditions and those in poorer parts of the country were more likely to be hit, this is the first evidence showing that long Covid is more prevalent among deprived individuals,” it added.