Abstract
BackgroundApproximately 10% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients will experience long COVID. There is no study of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in South Africa. This study aimed, firstly, to describe the prevalence of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in Cape Town, and, secondly, to document the impact of COVID-19 on patients’ well-being, work, and their access to long COVID treatment.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, a random sample of adults diagnosed with mild COVID-19 were called two months post-diagnosis. The participants telephonically completed a standardised survey describing their long COVID symptoms, missed workdays, and health-seeking behaviour. Medical records were reviewed for comorbidities, original COVID-19 symptoms, and treatment.ResultsIt was found that 60% of patients with mild COVID-19 had ≥ 1 long COVID symptom, while 35% had ≥ 3 ongoing symptoms for two months. Dyspnoea and fatigue were the most common symptoms. The findings revealed that 52% of employed patients missed work and 25% of patients self-reported non-recovery from their COVID-19. Moreover, 24% of patients consulted a clinician for long COVID, but only 7% of patients received long COVID care in the public sector. Of the 17% of patients requiring additional help for long COVID, 56% were interested in assistance by text message or telephonic consultation.ConclusionOver a half of mild COVID-19 patients experienced at least one long COVID symptom for two months and nearly 20% needed additional medical treatment. Very few patients utilised the public sector for long COVID treatment. There is a great need for long COVID treatment in public healthcare services and patients are receptive to remote care.
Highlights
Long coronavirus disease (COVID) is defined as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related symptoms that persist more than 28 days from the onset of acute infection.[1]
653 adults were diagnosed with COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at Retreat Community Health Centre (CHC) between 15 December 2020 and 31 January 2021, during the second wave of COVID-19 in South Africa which was dominated by https://www.safpj.co.za the Beta variant
We surveyed 174/653 (27%) of PCR-confirmed SARSCoV-2 infections diagnosed in the second wave of COVID-19 at Retreat CHC 2 months post-diagnosis
Summary
Long coronavirus disease (COVID) is defined as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related symptoms that persist more than 28 days from the onset of acute infection.[1]. There is no study of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in South Africa. This study aimed, firstly, to describe the prevalence of long COVID in mild COVID-19 patients in Cape Town, and, secondly, to document the impact of COVID-19 on patients’ wellbeing, work, and their access to long COVID treatment
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