New film released about long-term effects of coronavirus

The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new film which reveals the potentially devastating long-term impact of coronavirus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is urging the public – and especially young people – to follow the rules and protect themselves and others from the virus as part of a new Hands, Face, Space campaign. The film, which details the stories of four individuals, calls on the public to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control the spread of the virus.

The film release coincides with a new study from King’s College London which shows that one in 20 people with coronavirus are likely to have symptoms for eight weeks or more. The study suggests long Covid affects around 10 per cent of 18 to 49 year olds who become unwell with the virus. Public Health England have previously found that around 10 per cent of cases who were not admitted to hospital have reported symptoms lasting more than four weeks and a number of hospitalised cases reported continuing symptoms for eight or more weeks after discharge.

Hancock said: “I am acutely aware of the lasting and debilitating impact long Covid can have on people of all ages, irrespective of the seriousness of the initial symptoms. The findings from researchers at King’s College London are stark and this should be a sharp reminder to the public – including to young people – that Covid-19 is indiscriminate and can have long-term and potentially devastating effects.

“The more people take risks by meeting up in large groups or not social distancing, the more the wider population will suffer, and the more cases of long Covid we will see. The powerful new film we’re releasing today sheds light on the long-term impact this devastating virus has and should act as a stark reminder to us all.”