In the podcast with the Lower Saxony Minister for Science and Culture, Björn Thümler, we talk about the long-term effects of Corona. The fourth wave hit Germany with full force. The minister sees vaccination as the only protection that can weaken the course of the disease in the event of an infection.
Unfortunately, more and more young people are affected by Corona, Long-Covid and Post-Covid, explains Thümler. “Our system must be prepared for when these people can no longer fully participate in working life.” Therefore, remedial measures have to be found in many places. According to the data, it is possible that Corona will reach the stage of flu, but the time cannot currently be determined.
Gisela Strnad speaks with Minister Björn Thümler, Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture
(Image: MWK / Frank Ossenbrink)
What do long-covid and post-covid mean
Long-Covid means that corona patients still have symptoms related to the infection four weeks after illness and, with post-Covid, 12 weeks after corona illness.
It is estimated that 10 percent of adult Covid patients and 2 to 4 percent of children with Covid currently suffer from long-term effects. So far, around 900,000 people have been affected. Minister Thümler: “The data situation is currently still thin, but we have to decide how to deal with it permanently and prepare for it. The people affected must not be forgotten any further.”
What has happened so far?
The general practitioners have received a guideline, but also an appeal to refer patients suffering from long and post-Covid to the Covid outpatient clinics. There are specialized doctors there who can deal with the disease. Intensive research so far has shown that there are currently three main symptoms: rapid and severe exhaustion (fatigue), shortness of breath and coughing as well as impairment of the ability to concentrate and remember (brain fog).
All symptoms can lead to reduced ability to work. Lower Saxony has put together a network of scientists (COFONI) who research the consequences and the disease. So far, a total of 27.4 million euros have flowed into Lower Saxony’s corona research.
How can be helped
Due to the number of around 900,000 people affected so far, the rehabilitation centers would have to be overcrowded, due to the difficulty of diagnosis, they are not. This is another reason why corona outpatient departments have to be strengthened in order to guarantee targeted help at an early stage.
Thümler advises those affected: “Anyone who has not yet found help can turn to the Covid outpatient clinic at the MHH Hannover. Specialized doctors who have experience with the disease are available here.” Our special focus must be on the children So far, most of them have to back off. In children, symptoms such as weight gain, depression and motor underdevelopment are no longer uncommon. It is urgent that children are also vaccinated. We have waited far too long. “
Science Minister Thümler again appeals to all listeners “Vaccination, vaccination, vaccination is still the best protection against Covid disease. So that next year we can experience fun up close again without reservation and can look positively into the future. ”
(vza)
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