Two DRILL post-doctoral fellows, Professor Verusia Chetty and Professor Saul Cobbing, and three of their colleagues in the UKZN Discipline of Physiotherapy presented a webinar on Long COVID. The webinar was hosted by the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) and attracted 95 attendees from Africa, Europe and North America. The webinar explored the increasing prevalence of people who have been infected with COVID-19 and who now present with “Long COVID”. Long COVID is a term used to describe the effects of Covid-19 that continue for weeks or months beyond the initial illness.

Dr Hamilton Pharaoh and Mr Ntsikelelo Pefile, who themselves are living with Long COVID, spoke about their daily challenges and how they are managing in their daily lives. Prof Cobbing delivered evidence-based information on the prevalence and pathology of Long COVID, while Dr Maddocks took a closer look at the cardiopulmonary complications associated with the condition. The protracted consequences of COVID infection have been estimated to affect up to 87% of infected people. These symptoms include extensive fatigue, post-exertional malaise, neurological dysfunction and mental health challenges. Multi-disciplinary, patient-led rehabilitation is required to ensure people regain full function and quality of life.

Prof Chetty expertly facilitated the webinar. The presentations were followed by a stimulating question and answer session with several attendees relating how the presenters reflected  their own lived experiences, either as people living with Long COVID or as health professionals who have had to assist people living with this condition. The full video of the webinar can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbW4-p7SRro

Article written by Professor Saul Cobbing, Associate Professor and Academic Leader in the Discipline of Physiotherapy and Professor Verusia Chetty, Professor in the Discipline pf Physiotherapy and Academic Leader for Teaching and Learning.

DRILL fellows from October 2016