China adds long-term organ damage to list of effects of Covid-19
- Authorities say patients can have lung and heart problems in the longer term – among other consequences
- Addition of chronic conditions allows for expanded coverage under national health insurance schemes
In guidelines issued on Thursday, the National Health Commission said some recovered Covid-19 patients would require treatment for lung and heart damage, for movement problems from muscle loss, as well as for psychological disorders.
In addition to informing health workers about the potential long-term treatment needs of the patients, the authorities have classified these conditions as chronic diseases, allowing residents to claim for medical expenses under government-run medical insurance schemes.
“As the number of Covid-19 patients discharged from hospital increases, the rehabilitation needs have become prominent,” the commission said in the guidelines.
Understanding is growing of the effects of Sars-CoV-2, the official name of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, on the organs of patients – even after they apparently recover.
While most patients, especially those with mild and moderate symptoms, can recover without long-term consequences to their health, studies indicate that those with severe symptoms can have organ damage and require a much longer time for rehabilitation.