MORE and more Cumbrians are seeking Long Covid support in the wake of the pandemic. 

New data suggests that more than 150,000 people in the North East and north Cumbria could be suffering from Long Covid. 

The NHS GP Patient Survey found 5.7 per cent of 41,471 respondents in the North East and north Cumbria said they were still experiencing symptoms more than 12 weeks after first having Covid-19 – up from 5.1 per cent reported in 2022.

This comes at a time in which north Cumbria's Long Covid service has received 1,330 referrals from July 14. 

As of May, the referral figure stood at 1,281. 

According to the NHS, Long Covid is an affliction that can last well beyond the typical 12-week Covid recovery period. 

Symptoms of the condition often overlap and can include breathlessness, chest heaviness or palpitations, ongoing cough, problems with speech or swallowing, fatigue or lack of energy, memory, concentration problems and 'brain fog'.

ONS stats showed in March 2023, an estimated 1.9 million people living in private households in the UK (2.9 per cent of the population) were experiencing self-reported long COVID. 

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Trust was caring for one patient with coronavirus in hospital as of July 16.

Across England there were 1,101 people in hospital with Covid as of July 16.

If you feel that you still have ongoing symptoms following a Covid infection it is important that you talk to your GP or healthcare practitioner. 

If deemed suitable, patients are referred via their GP practice to Cumbria's Long Covid service.