As reported by Mark Daalder of Newsroom (Updated 26 December 2022), tens of thousands of New Zealanders have Long-COVID. Soon, they’ll seek care from a crunched health system unequipped to help them and financial support from a Government which has closed its wallet.
No-one can actually say how many people in New Zealand are suffering from Long-COVID – There is no simple diagnostic test. It is also an umbrella term, used to cover symptoms that are common to other post-viral conditions and also, a whole set of novel impacts like organ damage and increased cardiac risk. Long-COVID itself is also quite commonly compared to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME / CFS), a chronic illness which drains patients of their energy. Exertion worsens the fatigue. Rest does little to improve it.
To read the full article written by Mark Daalder, please visit Newsroom.