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Copenhagen (AFP) – About 17 million Europeans suffered from long-term Covid disorders in 2020 and 2021, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the World Health Organization’s Europe office, which calls for better care for the sick.
This represents more than 16% of the 102.4 million people infected by the virus during the first two years of the pandemic in the 53 countries of the continent.
Long Covid is manifested by one or more symptoms – fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, intermittent fever, loss of taste or smell, depression – usually within three months after infection and persists for at least two more months. .
“Millions of people in our region (between Europe and Central Asia) suffer from debilitating symptoms several months after their initial infection with Covid-19 and cannot continue to suffer in silence,” said WHO regional director Hans Kluge, quoted in a statement.
“Governments and partners in health must work together to find solutions,” he said, noting “the urgent need for deeper analysis, greater investment, greater support and greater solidarity with those who suffer from this disease.” “.
According to WHO estimates, long Covid affects twice as many women, based on calculations by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
According to the IHME, based in the United States, a total of 145 million people worldwide suffered from a long Covid in 2020 and 2021.
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