With some COVID-19 patients reporting long-term symptoms, including damage to major organs, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged Governments to ensure they receive necessary care.
“Although we’re still learning about the virus, what’s clear is that this is not just a virus that kills people. To a significant number of people, this virus poses a range of serious long-term effects,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking during the UN agency’s latest virtual press conference.
The situation also underscores how herd immunity is “morally unconscionable and unfeasible”, he added.
The WHO Director-General described the vast spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms that fluctuate over time as “really concerning.”
They range from fatigue, a cough, and shortness of breath, to inflammation and injury of major organs – including the lungs and heart, and also neurological and psychologic effects.
Symptoms often overlap and can affect any system in the body.
“It is imperative that Governments recognize the long-term effects of COVID-19 and also ensure access to health services to all of these patients,” he said.
“This includes primary health care and when needed specialty care and rehabilitation.”
Stories like this underline how people facing the long-term effects of COVID-19 must be given the time and care they need to recover fully, according to the WHO chief.
“It also reinforces to me just how morally unconscionable and unfeasible the so-called ‘natural herd immunity’ strategy is,” he said, adding, “not only would it lead to millions more unnecessary deaths, it would also lead to a significant number of people facing a long road to full recovery.”
He explained that herd immunity is only possible when a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine has been distributed globally, and equitably.
“And until we have a vaccine, Governments and people must do all that they can to suppress transmission, which is the best way to prevent these post-COVID long-term consequences,” he stated.
Original source: UN News
