Cases of Long Covid still growing, German health minister says

An increasing number of people are suffering from symptoms of Long Covid even after the end of the coronavirus pandemic, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Tuesday.

Lauterbach warned that people are still falling ill with the disease - even as public attention on Covid-19 fades into the background. He made his remarks during a round table discussion on Long Covid in Berlin on Tuesday with medical and scientific experts,

"Millions of people will become infected with Covid again this winter," said Lauterbach, adding that some of them will develop Long Covid, or ME/CFS.

ME/CFS, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, is considered a serious neuroimmunological disease that can be physically debilitating and is considered one of the most serious long-term consequences. The condition worsens significantly after minimal exertion.

For vaccinated people and people who have already had an infection, the risk is lower, but still exists, he added.

Long Covid refers to symptoms that persist beyond the acute phase of illness, or which reappear. Post-Covid describes the clinical picture more than 12 weeks after the coronavirus infection.

The symptoms, some of which are severe, can occur individually or in combination. The most common symptoms include severe and persistent fatigue and exhaustion.

Other symptoms include lung and breathing problems, headaches, difficulty concentrating and memory problems.

According to Lauterbach, there is little prospect of a cure so far.

Dr Carmen Scheibenbogen, a professor of medicine and the head of the immunodeficiency outpatient clinic at Berlin's Charité hospital, said the care of affected patients is still inadequate.