Research reveals why long Covid sufferers shouldn’t exercise, as young Melbourne man tells his horror story

Nearly 380 Victorians a day were hospitalised with Covid last week, as health authorities step up warnings on the potentially devastating consequences of the virus.

Mandy Squires

3 min read

January 7, 2024 - 11:58AM

Victoria

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Nearly 380 Victorians a day were hospitalised with Covid last week, as health authorities stepped up warnings on the potentially lasting and life-altering consequences of the virus.

The Victorian Department of Health on January 5 revealed an average of 377 people had been hospitalised with Covid each day that week, up from 307 a day the week before.

The seven-day average of patients in intensive care had also increased, from 19 to 23 — and, tragically, 168 Victorians died in the most recent reporting period of November 22 to December 19, 2023.

While the death rate had decreased slightly from the previous 28-day reporting period, the department’s surveillance report notes “increases and decreases in the reporting of deaths attributable to Covid-19 tend to lag waves of infections and hospitalisations by several weeks”, suggesting they are now set to rise.

An average of 377 people a day were hospitalised last week. Picture: David Caird

“Following rapid growth in early December, JN. 1 (a sublineage of BA. 2.86) has become the most prevalent single subvariant in Victorian wastewater samples and is being closely monitored,” the report notes.

“Globally, BA. 2.86 is the most prevalent variant of interest, with JN. 1 representing the vast majority of the BA. 2.86 descendant lineages.”

The report also notes high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in Victoria’s metropolitan and regional wastewater suggests Covid infections are rampant in the community.

Jordan got COVID in January 2022, & his life hasnâ€™t been the same since.
He shares how his life has been impacted by long COVID & urges Victorians to stay ahead of the virus with protective steps.

Learn more about the symptoms & how to stay safe: https://t.co/Fc9LkRB4z1
1/2ðŸ§µ pic.twitter.com/Ulji43dJex
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) January 5, 2024

It comes as fears grow over the increasing number of long Covid cases being diagnosed among formerly fit and healthy, young and middle-aged Victorians.

The health department on Friday released a video message from Melbourne man Jordan Crane, who tested positive with a low level Covid infection about 17 months ago.

Mr Crane’s life is now dramatically changed because of the debilitating and painful effects of long Covid.

The seven-day average of patients in intensive care also increased last week, from 19 to 23. Picture: Ian Currie

In the video message, Mr Crane said he had hoped he was over the worst of his initial Covid infection when he decided to go for a run.

To his shock, he found his chest was tight and he struggled to breathe as he jogged.

“I woke up the next day and got hit really hard, and that lasted nearly a month,” Mr Crane said.

“I was like ‘OK, something’s up’.”

Mr Crane said he now suffered from headaches and nausea.

“I also get numbness and pins and needles in my extremities. I get heart palpitations and chest pain. I get ringing ears. I get twitching eyes. All these things that happen to my body that never used to happen to my body,” he said.

“On my first appointment with the respiratory specialist they confirmed I had long Covid. I didn’t know about long Covid. I do not consider myself — and don’t think most people would consider me — to be a high risk person.”

Why long Covid patients should not exercise

A newly-published, major international study into long Covid has found the illness causes skeletal muscle changes in patients, that worsen with physical exertion.

It also causes metabolic changes.

Researcher and study author Dr Rob Wüst from Amsterdam’s Vrije Universiteit said lower exercise capacity in patients with long Covid could be partly explained by discernible changes in their skeletal muscle structure and function.

Extensive muscle damage had been found in some long Covid patients, Dr Wüst said.

“Skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and metabolism were altered in patients with long Covid, and this worsened after induction of post-exertional malaise.

“Intense exercise is not good for patients with long Covid!” he tweeted late last week.

“The study contributed to our understanding of muscle pain, fatigue and weakness in patients and provides a biological substrate for the disease.

“It doesn’t directly point to the cause of the disease but highlights that exercise can worsen symptoms in patients … we can only recommend to avoid strenuous exercise for now.”