Endless 'Long COVID' Clinics in the US and UK... Is Korea Saying "It's Not Just Pretending?"

Published 23 Apr.2022 13:05(KST)

Updated 23 Apr.2022 15:45(KST)

As the number of patients complaining of aftereffects following COVID-19 infection increases, managing 'Long COVID' has emerged as an important task for returning to normal life. The photo is unrelated to any specific expressions in this article. [Photo by Pixabay] [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the number of patients complaining of aftereffects following COVID-19 infection increases, managing 'Long COVID' has emerged as a crucial task for returning to normal life. While related research and measures are being developed overseas, there are concerns that awareness of this issue is still lacking domestically.

According to research by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27-33% of patients exhibit Long COVID symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19. This translates to an estimated 31 million people, or roughly one in seven American workers.

Academics abroad view this trend as potentially leading to a decline in the workforce. In January, the Brookings Institution in the U.S. published a study titled "Is Long COVID Making the Labor Shortage Worse?" which noted that as of that time, 10.6 million jobs remained unfilled, potentially worsening the U.S. economic situation.

A particular problem is that employees often cannot properly report these symptoms at work. According to research by the UK Trades Union Congress, one in four Long COVID patients did not inform their employers about their condition. It was found that one in twenty had to take leave, resign, or quit.

Accordingly, many countries worldwide are actively conducting national-level research and preparing measures to address COVID-19 aftereffects.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) announced initial responses to Long COVID as early as October 2020. At that time, the UK invested ?24 million (approximately 38.5 billion KRW) to establish Long COVID clinics and currently operates over 90 such centers. Additionally, in July last year, the NHS revealed plans for an additional investment of ?100 million (approximately 160.7 billion KRW) through the "Long COVID: NHS Plan 2021-2022."

In the United States, an astronomical amount has recently been invested in Long COVID measures. On the 5th, the White House, together with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), set a goal to finalize research plans within 120 days. HHS announced it would invest $20 million (approximately 24.3 billion KRW) to establish specialized Long COVID clinics. Furthermore, President Joe Biden plans to allocate an additional $25 million (approximately 30.3 billion KRW) to the CDC in the 2023 budget to fund Long COVID research.

European Union (EU) countries such as Italy and France have also announced plans to operate Long COVID clinics. According to the British Medical Journal, the Italian government decided to invest €28 million (approximately 37.3 billion KRW) last May and €24 million (approximately 31.9 billion KRW) this year to provide respiratory treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

France's health authority (HAS) issued official guidelines for follow-up care of Long COVID patients in February last year. In Spain, two doctors received government funding of €1.8 million (approximately 2.4 billion KRW) last month to open the first Long COVID clinic. In Norway, former Health Minister Bent Høie initiated the establishment of Long COVID clinics last summer, and currently, four clinics are in operation.

However, concerns are rising domestically that awareness and safety nets for Long COVID remain insufficient, potentially leading to social problems in the future.

Experts point out that many people struggling to return to daily life due to COVID-19 aftereffects are often dismissed as malingering. They emphasize that psychological difficulties may arise due to social phenomena and physical aftereffects even after recovery from COVID-19.

Moreover, experts stress the need for concrete investigations by quarantine authorities into Long COVID cases, along with increased visibility and awareness of patients suffering from aftereffects, corporate consideration, and national support.

Specifically, there are calls for companies to actively grant sick leave and for the introduction of legally based 'paid sick leave' and 'sickness benefit systems.' Both systems allow employees to receive their salary while taking time off for illness or when unable to work.