- Based on recent Australian research, the economic cost of long covid in New Zealand was likely around 0.5 percent of GDP, or $2b, a year.
- More local research was needed to quantify the true economic cost.
- Meanwhile, efforts should be made to prevent infection with better ventilation in schools and workplaces and tweaks to the vaccination programme.
- Occupational and social support also needed to be strengthened including extended sick leave policies and comprehensive rehabilitation programmes.
Researchers estimate long covid is costing the economy $2 billion a year in lost productivity.