Persistent Symptoms Among Frontline Health Workers Post-acute COVID-19 Infection

Background: Growing evidence shows that a significant number of patients with COVID19 experience prolonged/persistent symptoms, also known as Long COVID. Reports of Long COVID are rising but little is known about prevalence in non-hospitalized patients. Objective: We sought to identify the persistent symptoms of COVID19 in frontline workers at Right to Care (RTC) South Africa who have past the acute phase of illness with a view to establishing rehabilitation programs for its employees and the community at large. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. We analysed data from 207 eligible COVID19 positive RTC frontline workers who participated in a post-COVID online self-administered survey. The survey was active for two months. Frequencies and median were calculated for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results: The survey response rate was 30% (62 out of 207); of the 62 respondents with a median age of 33.5 years (IQR= 30 to 44 years), 47 (76%) were females. The majority (n=55; 88.7%) self-isolated and 7 (11.3%) were admitted to hospital at time of diagnosis. The most common comorbid condition reported was hypertension particularly among workers aged 45 to 55 years. Headache, body ache, fatigue, loss of smell, dry cough, fever, and loss of appetite were the most common reported symptoms at time of diagnosis. Persistent symptoms were characterized by fatigue, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, muscle pain and brain fog, being the six most reported. Conclusion: The impact of persistent/Long COVID-19 on the health of frontline workers could have direct impact in health service delivery. Given the rise in cases of COVID19 in South Africa and the world at large, the prevalence of Long COVID is likely to be substantial and therefore need for rehabilitation programs targeted at each of the persistent (Long) COVID symptoms is critical.