'Long Covid' affects about 20,000 people in Malaysia

According to Deputy Health Minister Noor Azmi Ghazali, about 20,000 people in Malaysia who recovered from the coronavirus are suffering with post-Covid-19 syndrome, also known as "long Covid."

"As of November this year, a total of 19,890 Covid-19 patients have been offered appointments for follow-up therapy at health facilities," Dr Noor Azmi said in Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from Gabungan Parti Sarawak lawmaker Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Dec 8).

According to his observations, patients with post-Covid-19 syndrome have five main symptoms: lethargy (78.9%), breathing difficulty when performing particular jobs (52.9%), coughing (18.1%), insomnia (14.5%), and anxiety (10.4 per cent).

He went on to say that individuals who had lengthy Covid would normally have symptoms for four to twelve weeks following recovery, with some patients still having symptoms after that time.

Those with long-term Covid problems will be referred to a specialist doctor for further therapy, he said.

The follow-up treatment, according to Dr. Noor Azmi, is based on the ministry's post-Covid-19 management policy, which ensures that patients suffering from extended Covid receive treatment and medication.

Long Covid patients have been referred for treatment at 41 public and private health facilities, he said, in addition to the Sungai Buloh Hospital and the UiTM Training Hospital.

Dr Noor Azmi responded to a question from Pakatan Harapan's Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad that there was no specific data on the effects of extended Covid on youngsters at the moment.

Dr. Dzulkefly noted that research in other countries have found that one out of every seven children infected with Covid-19 suffers from cognitive deficits.

Long-term Covid patients receive therapy for a variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, as well as neurological and mental health issues, according to Dr. Noor Azmi.

Dr Noor Azmi responded to a related question raised by PH assemblyman R.S.N Rayer by saying that follow-up testing on Malaysia's first Omicron variant case had come out negative.

Tests on five close contacts, he added, also came up negative.

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