COVID-19 Not Fully Safe Even After Recovery... WHO Warns of Long-Term Sequelae Concerns

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns regarding 'long COVID,' referring to the long-term aftereffects experienced by COVID-19 patients.

According to major foreign media on the 4th (local time), Janet Diaz, head of the WHO Emergency Health Clinical Management Team, stated at an event held the previous day that long COVID includes symptoms such as chest pain, tingling, and rashes, and that more than 200 cases of long-term aftereffects have been reported so far. She expressed concern that these symptoms seem to last for 3 to 6 months but can persist for more than 9 months in some cases.

In response, Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO COVID-19 Technical Team, said during a virtual press briefing on the 4th, "Many people are suffering from long-term effects," adding, "'Post-COVID syndrome,' or long COVID, is something the WHO is very concerned about."

She added, "We are compiling case data to better understand post-COVID syndrome," and mentioned that rehabilitation programs are being prepared for those experiencing these symptoms.

Earlier, the British weekly magazine The Economist warned of a long COVID crisis in May, urging measures for healthcare systems and workplaces. The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) also estimated that as of March 6, about 1.1 million people in the country had experienced long COVID in the past four weeks.