Long Covid is exerting a silent drag on work and health, with officials and economists warning that a lack of data is leaving authorities “shooting in the dark” when it comes to understanding the full impact of the condition.
Defined as symptoms that persist or develop three months after an initial infection and last at least two months, long Covid has had a lasting effect on the productivity of health systems and the wider workforce. However, attempts to assess the true extent of the damage are hindered by a lack of accurate data.
Hans Kluge, European regional director of the World Health Organization, emphasized the need for better reporting, surveillance, and diagnostics to understand the burden of long Covid on health systems. Without this information, policymakers are essentially operating blind.
Studies suggest that long Covid may have reduced labor supply in the EU by up to 0.5% in 2022, equivalent to over 1 million full-time workers. The condition has also been linked to an increase in workplace absences in many countries.
The impact of long Covid on individuals can be profound, as seen in the case of Tiko Bakhtadze, a nurse who struggled with persistent symptoms that affected her productivity. The long-term economic effects of the condition remain uncertain, with estimates suggesting millions of people across Europe may have experienced long Covid symptoms.
As the world grapples with the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, understanding and addressing the long-term effects of Covid-19, including long Covid, will be crucial for building resilient health systems and supporting affected individuals in the workforce.