The LGA has called for an “honest debate” about the impact of long Covid, not just on the NHS, but also on demand for social care, at its recent annual conference.
Professor Chris Whitty, the UK Government’s Chief Medical Officer, told delegates that, given the current prevalence of the virus, the amount of long Covid will increase “significantly… particularly in the younger ages, where the vaccination rates are currently much lower”.
He identified two ways to prevent long Covid – keeping virus rates down and making sure everyone is vaccinated – and urged everyone to “push hell for leather” for them.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Coronavirus will be with us in some form for many months and years ahead, and councils, with their public health and social care responsibilities, want to play their full part in keeping our communities safe, healthy and protected.
“We are only beginning to learn more about the long-term effects of this disease, and we need to start planning now for what could be a potential increase in requests for care and support, and other council services, due to Covid-related conditions.
“All of us involved in the response to the pandemic – central and local government, the medical and scientific community – need to have an honest debate about the potential implications of long Covid on resources and capacity, and on our overstretched and under-pressure social care system and other vital council services.”
After conference, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that 15 new studies across the UK will expand research into long Covid, backed by £19.6 million of funding through the National Institute for Health Research, to help better understand the condition, improve diagnosis and find new treatments.