Last month the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, handed down its final inquiry report into the health, economic and social impacts of long COVID and repeat infections. The report aims to improve Australia’s response to long COVID, also known as PASC (Post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2), a condition that may affect many Australians following COVID-19 infection.

The Committee recognised the difficulties faced by both patients and healthcare professionals dealing with long COVID, including a lack of information and treatment options, and the mental health impact it has had on many sufferers.

Professor Bill Rawlinson, Senior Medical Virologist at the University of New South Wales, and Fellow of the RCPA, says that the report is a step in the right direction to help improve outcomes for patients.

“Most people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 now are usually recovering within a few days or weeks. However, some people continue to experience symptoms for much longer, even those with mild versions of the disease. These ongoing health problems can be mild or severe and can linger for months or even years. There has been an increasing awareness of these long-term effects, and whilst there has been research in Australia and internationally, there are still things we do not know.

“We welcome this report as it assists in developing some building blocks for addressing long COVID. Research is key to helping people suffering from long COVID. We need evidence on defining the syndrome better, improving understanding of how this occurs in some people following COVID infection and not others, and in implementing care standards, whilst ongoing research provides information for evidence-based diagnostic and treatment programs.”

According to multiple studies cited in the report, approximately five percent of Australians who contract the virus suffer from long COVID. These people are affected by diverse and non-specific symptoms which makes recognition and diagnosis of the condition challenging. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, memory, concentration or sleep problems, a persistent cough, chest pain, difficulty speaking, muscle aches. Diagnostic tests are not currently useful, although the funding will help with developing these.

In the report, the committee made nine recommendations, including the establishment of a national long COVID database, guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, a national summit, and a nationally coordinated research program. Following the release of the report, the Australian Government also announced $50 million further funding boost for research into long COVID from the Medical Research Fund (MRF).

“Although the World Health Organization recently declared the end of the global emergency status for COVID-19, infections are likely to continue, with SARS CoV-2 becoming endemic like influenza and other respiratory viruses. Vaccination remains our best protection against the virus, which will also help reduce the risk of long COVID,” said Prof Rawlinson.