Boris Johnson is being urged to take action on ‘long Covid’ and formally recognise debilitating side effects of the disease that can last for months after recovery, such as fatigue, heart palpitations and breathing difficulties.

MPs have called on the Government to ‘urgently’ address the problem, saying that Number 10 must first acknowledge that it exists. 

The group said it had heard ‘incredibly moving and concerning’ testimonials from hundreds of people with persistent symptoms, including those who had been fit and healthy before being struck with Covid-19.

Layla Moran, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) group on coronavirus, said Westminster must commit resources to a rapid inquiry. 

Matt Hancock has already admitted that he is ‘worried’ about the long term impacts plaguing coronavirus ‘long-haulers’, and has used it as a warning to young people who think they are immune to the disease. 

This graph shows how many patients reported each symptom when they were admitted to hospital and 12 weeks later. It shows the initial symptoms of a fever, cough and loss of taste/smell have reduced. But breathlessness, excessive fatigue and muscle aches have persisted

This graph shows how many patients reported each symptom when they were admitted to hospital and 12 weeks later. It shows the initial symptoms of a fever, cough and loss of taste/smell have reduced. But breathlessness, excessive fatigue and muscle aches have persisted

This graph shows how many patients reported each symptom when they were admitted to hospital and 12 weeks later.

It shows the initial symptoms of a fever, cough and adiphene weight loss pill of taste/smell have reduced. But breathlessness, excessive fatigue and muscle aches have persisted 

Ms Moran said the Government needed to take action to address the health, wellbeing and employment arrangements of people living with the effects of ‘long Covid’, and provide the necessary support.

Writing in the British Medical Journal today, the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon also warned that as the number of people with long Covid increases, the situation will become ‘more and more urgent’.

She said: ‘In August, we heard from people living with long Covid and hundreds more sufferers submitted written evidence to our inquiry.

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