‘Not time to wash our hands’ of impact of long Covid, says Boulton

Concerns have been raised over Queensland Health data that downplays the prevalence of Covid reinfection in the community.

Fewer than 2 per cent of Queenslanders have been confirmed to have had Covid more than once, Queensland Health claims in a report that says the prevalence of long Covid is “considerably over-estimated” in the state.

It has played down the need for any dedicated long Covid health services, instead pushing for it to be managed via GPs, allied health and services similar to chronic disease management plans.

But Australian Medical Association of Queensland president Dr Maria Boulton said the number of reinfections seemed low, while she urged authorities not to “wash their hands” of long Covid.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton urged authorities not to “wash their hands” of long Covid. Picture: Supplied

The details are part of Queensland Health’s submission to a federal parliamentary inquiry into long Covid and reinfections.

The World Health Organisation estimates 10 to 20 per cent of the population could have experienced long Covid.

But Queensland Health said that given the state’s high vaccination rate and that 99.7 per cent of the state’s Covid cases had been the “milder” Omicron variant, the WHO estimate was “considerably overstated” for Queensland’s experience.

“To date, 1.9 per cent of all confirmed Covid-19 infections in Queensland are in people who have been infected more than once,” the report stated.

“There are some early indications that adults who are not up to date with their vaccinations schedule are at 60 per cent greater risk of reinfection.”

It said there had been low demand for long Covid services in Queensland, including via GP focus groups, the 134COVID hotline and the only state-run long Covid service in the Metro South region.

Queensland Health has played down the need for any dedicated long Covid health services, instead pushing for it to be

Dr Boulton said it was difficult to accurately estimate how many Queenslanders had contracted Covid twice or more, but that 2 per cent seemed low.

“People are now far more likely to use a RAT to test themselves than to seek out a PCR test, which puts the onus on the patient to report a positive result,” she said.

“Many of my patients have had Covid twice. Some three times.

“My colleagues across the state report similar experiences, including a patient already suffering from long Covid who then contracted Covid.”

Dr Boulton said it was “shortsighted” to claim long Covid was not a problem.

“Patients who are suffering from prolonged Covid symptoms or long Covid, and the doctors caring for them, would certainly disagree,” she said.

“We need investment in long Covid research now and into the future – and that

includes from Queensland Health.

“This is not the time to wash our hands of it.”

The report said long Covid should be defined as having persistent symptoms 12 weeks or more after initial infection, not include new symptoms and impact their ability to perform everyday activities at their pre-Covid levels.