Long COVID a concern for CARPHA

Head of Chronic Disease and Injury at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Dr Tamu Davidson says recent studies have shown that persons who have mild symptoms of COVID-19 can be affected by long COVID, even though vaccinated persons are less likely to suffer from the condition.

She was speaking at CARPHA’s recent meeting of regional Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) on the potential impact of long COVID on the health status of the region.

The World Health Organisation defines long COVID as a condition that occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Symptoms usually occur within three months from the onset of the viral illness, with effects that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

While patients can have lingering symptoms for months following COVID-19, it is difficult to predict just how long they may last. These symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction (brain fog); and may be of new onset, persist from initial illness, or may relapse and recur over time.

“While anyone could develop this condition, current data, though limited, points to an increased frequency in women, middle-aged individuals and in those with more symptoms during the COVID infection,” she said.

However, the condition is not limited to these groups and even those with mild COVID-19 symptoms can be affected.

An overview of the potential burden that long COVID-related morbidity can have on the health care system, as well as the implications for public health were discussed at the CARPHA meeting.

The importance of strengthening health systems to support early detection and clinical management of the condition, with a focus on primary health care, was noted. Additionally, officials highlighted the need for surveillance of long COVID and research to support an understanding of the natural history of the condition within the Caribbean context.

CARPHA provided specific management activities that the region can undertake, such as adhering to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, long-term follow-up of infected persons, continued vaccination and boosting, as well as continued research to improve knowledge of the condition.

In the discussion that followed, the CMOs shared specific measures they had employed to manage long COVID, including the establishment of specialised clinics with multi-disciplinary support to manage cases.

CARPHA commended the CMOs on the interventions they had initiated to directly address the issue and encouraged them to continue with heightened surveillance for cases that may yet be undetected. (BT/PR)