Scientists and epidemiologists are still writing, revising and updating the medical literature on the Covid-19 pandemic. It will keep medical authorities and professionals engaged for some time. Meanwhile, reference texts on “long Covid”, or “post Covid-19 syndrome”, are barely works in progress. That is because so little is known about it. But it could remain a public health and disability issue after the pandemic file is closed. Most people who catch the virus do not become severely ill and get better relatively quickly. But some have long-term problems after recovering from the original infection even if they weren’t very ill. The World Health Organization says post-infection conditions mostly appear several weeks to months later, ranging from fatigue to shortness of breath and problems with memory and concentration. Various studies flesh out the long Covid picture with a range of other possible symptoms including joint and gut problems, insomnia and vision changes. These symptoms, of course, could all have other causes. And the severity varies. Some people have no issues getting on with their day-to-day lives; others may struggle. Hong Kong study finds 40 per cent of patients still suffer from long Covid According to a study of 118 participants by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, more than 40 per cent of people infected with the coronavirus still suffer from long Covid symptoms within a year of diagnosis. It also found that women are more susceptible, a finding shared with Britain’s statistics authority. Fifty per cent of women in the study reported symptoms, and 30 per cent of men. PolyU researchers observed fatigue related to vital capacity and lower muscle strength in 101 of the sample group within six months of diagnosis, while 63 reported fatigue from accelerated walking 12 months later. The research is aimed at formulating a rehabilitation exercise programme for lingering symptoms, which is considered beneficial to recovered patients in case they develop them. Governments have had to adapt strategy and tactics on the run to waves of infection by the coronavirus and its mutations. Even with the pandemic still raging, a lot of research is now focused on the potential long-term impact on public health. Authorities need to take a proactive stance if they are to keep ahead of long Covid with appropriate medical, public health and welfare policies.