New figures show that approximately three-quarters of young people and adults recovered from their post-covid symptoms in the first twelve months after the onset of these symptoms. Most recovery from post-covid occurs within six months. Furthermore, two percent of young people and four percent of adults with post-covid symptoms indicate that they only recovered after more than three years. This is evident from the fourteenth quarterly survey (December 2024) of the Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR).
In this quarterly survey, participants were asked whether they were suffering from post-covid symptoms. The group of young people who indicated that they had post-covid symptoms and were therefore severely limited in their daily lives increased from a fifth to a quarter. Among adults, this group increased from a quarter to almost a third. These figures are in line with the increase in the share of post-covid patients who have had longer-lasting symptoms. Many of them were infected earlier in the pandemic. Because the latest results also seem to indicate that fewer and fewer people are currently contracting post-covid.
Fewer and fewer people contracting post-COVID
In December 2023, 1,1 percent of young people reported having contracted post-covid in the six months before completing the questionnaire. In June 2024, this was only 0,4 percent and this round (December 2024) 0,3 percent. In December 2023, 0,4 percent of adults reported having contracted post-covid in the six months before, 0,1 percent in June 2024 and 0,06 percent in December 2024.
Some people continue to have complaints for a long time after a corona infection, such as fatigue, concentration problems, shortness of breath, headache and dizziness. If this lasts longer than 3 months, it is called post-COVID, also known as Long COVID. More information about the complaints and ways to get help can be found on the page Post-covid from the central government.
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Research program into the effects of the corona crisis on health
For five years (2021-2025), the GOR Network will collect information about the consequences of the corona pandemic on the health and perceived happiness of people in the Netherlands. This research program is called the Integrated Health Monitor COVID-19. The monitor shows what mental and physical health is at a certain moment in the Netherlands and how it changes over time. Policymakers can use this up-to-date knowledge to develop better policy. Regular discussions are also held with, among others, experienced experts, experts and healthcare and education professionals.
Network GOR consists of the RIVM, local GGDs, GGD GHOR Netherlands, Nivel and ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre. ZonMw is the client of the research on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
