To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of patients experiencing prolonged covid-19 symptoms on decisions to ease the covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
This answer is the replacement for a previous holding answer.
Answered on
4 September 2020
Each amendment to lockdown regulations has represented a cautious step in easing restrictions, whilst continuing to limit the risk of transmission.
At each review point of the Regulations, we have considered the necessity and proportionality of existing measures based on the most up to date evidence available at the time, including on rate of transmission, infection and death rate, and current intensive care unit capacity. Where restrictions are no longer considered proportionate or necessary at that point in time they have been eased or removed, however we remain ready to put the brakes on and increase lockdown measures either at a national or local level if necessary.
The UK Research and Innovation-National Institute for Health Research Rapid Response Rolling Call has funded a large post-hospitalisation study. The study, announced in July, will establish a national consortium and a research platform embedded within clinical care to better understand and improve long-term outcomes for survivors following hospitalisation with COVID-19. It will also help to ensure future treatment can be tailored as much as possible to the person.