Long Covid Can’t Be Ignored Anymore. Now Action Must Follow

During March which is Long Covid Awareness Month, the UK COVID-19 Inquiry has delivered a long-overdue reality check: COVID-19 spreads through the air, and the early responses got it wrong.

For many, this confirmation isn’t new. Patients, clinicians and researchers have been raising the alarm for years, particularly around how COVID-19 spreads through the air. 

Now, it’s official: initial guidance failed to properly recognise airborne transmission, potentially allowing avoidable infections, and long-term illness, to take hold.

The Inquiry also acknowledges something equally important: Long Covid is real, serious, and for some, life-changing. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the condition, understanding what is Long Covid and how does it affect the body is key to recognising its impact.

Millions across the UK have lived this reality. Many have faced delayed diagnoses, inconsistent care, or worse, not being believed at all. 

The report admits that why healthcare access varies across the UK remains a major issue, with patients experiencing a postcode lottery in treatment and support.

Research gaps continue to be a concern. While studies into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on health are ongoing, funding has been scaled back at a time when answers are urgently needed.

Perhaps most concerning is the impact on younger people. There is growing awareness around supporting children living with Long Covid, as the condition continues to disrupt education, development, and daily life at a critical stage.

This isn’t a problem that’s gone away. Long Covid is not a legacy issue, it’s ongoing, and remains a public health concern affecting individuals, families, and communities across the UK.

Every infection still carries risk. And every preventable infection risks long-term consequences. That’s why understanding symptoms of Long Covid explained can help people seek help earlier and avoid worsening health outcomes.

Advocates argue that recognising airborne transmission must now lead to meaningful change. If the virus spreads through the air, then prevention strategies must reflect that reality — especially in healthcare settings where vulnerable people are most at risk.

Right now, protections remain inconsistent. Patients continue to face challenges around support available for Long Covid patients in the UK, with gaps in services and long waiting times still common.

The message from campaigners is clear: recognition is not enough.

What’s needed now is action, including stronger airborne infection controls, better access to protective equipment, and renewed focus on how health policy affects patient outcomes.

There’s also a broader issue at stake. Many people are still learning about coping with chronic illness in everyday life, often without adequate guidance or support.

The Inquiry has taken an important step by acknowledging both airborne transmission and the reality of Long Covid.

But without decisive action, the same mistakes risk continuing.

Long Covid isn’t slowing down.

And neither should the response.

https://www.longcfoundation.org/long-covid-awareness-day-and-month

Attomarker initiates Acceleration Round to scale immunology diagnostics

Attomarker, a UK-based diagnostics company, has commenced an Acceleration Round to support the next phase of commercial and clinical development of its immunology diagnostics platform.

Attomarker develops multiplex immune diagnostics that deliver clinically relevant immune profiling from a single, small blood sample within a matter of minutes. 

Its tests are specially designed for use in real clinical settings and are already being used by clinicians.

The company’s current focus is immune profiling in patients with Long Covid, estimated to affect more than 65 million people worldwide. 

Attomarker’s COVID Antibody Spectrum Test enables immune classification of patients into one of three distinct endotypes, supporting treatment decision-making and monitoring of disease recovery. Two additional Long Covid companion tests are also in development.

Attomarker recently signed a strategic co-development agreement with EpitogenX to combine next-generation antigen technology with Attomarker’s diagnostics platform, with the aim of extending immune profiling into other immune-mediated conditions that are currently underserved by diagnostic options. Initial target areas include Lyme disease and Hashimoto’s disease.

The company holds a strong intellectual property position, with eight granted patents and a further patent pending, covering its core diagnostics technology and system architecture.

Attomarker’s diagnostics currently operate on a CE-marked benchtop device that is approved and in clinical use. A handheld device is also in development as an additional deployment option.

The Acceleration Round is intended to support commercial rollout, regulatory progress, further clinical validation, and expansion of Attomarker’s immune profiling portfolio within Long Covid.

Retail investor participation is being conducted through Crowdcube, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All eligibility checks, approvals, and investment activity take place on the Crowdcube platform.

https://www.crowdcube.com/early-access/attomarker

Information for non-retail investors is available via a separate information page.

https://attomarker.com/investors

Navigating the COVID Landscape: A British Perspective

As the world continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of COVID-19, the situation in Britain remains fluid, shaped by evolving variants, vaccination efforts, and public health measures.

In this blog post, we'll look into the current status of COVID-19 in Britain and explore effective strategies for dealing with an infection.

The Current Landscape:

At this juncture, Britain finds itself in a delicate balance between cautious optimism and ongoing vigilance. 

The rollout of vaccines has undoubtedly been a game-changer, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. However, the emergence of new variants, such as the Delta variant, serves as a stark reminder that the virus is far from defeated.

In recent months, we've witnessed fluctuations in case numbers, influenced by factors ranging from the relaxation of restrictions to seasonal trends. While some regions have experienced a decline in cases, others continue to grapple with outbreaks, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and community-wide cooperation.

Dealing with an Infection:

For individuals who find themselves facing a COVID-19 infection, navigating the experience can be daunting. Here are some key steps to consider:

Isolation: Upon receiving a positive test result or experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, it's crucial to isolate yourself to prevent further transmission. This means staying home and avoiding contact with others, including household members, as much as possible.

Seeking Medical Advice: While many cases of COVID-19 are mild and can be managed at home, it's essential to seek medical advice, especially if you experience severe symptoms or belong to a high-risk group. Your healthcare provider can offer guidance tailored to your specific situation and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Monitoring Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if they worsen or if you develop new symptoms. Common signs of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.

Rest and Hydration: Allow your body ample time to rest and recuperate. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and nourish your body with nutritious foods to support your immune system.

Follow Public Health Guidelines: Even while in isolation, continue to adhere to public health guidelines, such as wearing a mask, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distance from others within your household.

Stay Connected: Despite the physical isolation, it's important to stay connected with loved ones through virtual means. Reach out for emotional support and stay informed about developments in your community.

Conclusion:

In the face of uncertainty, resilience and adaptability emerge as our greatest assets. By staying informed, following public health guidance, and supporting one another, we can navigate the challenges of COVID-19 with strength and solidarity. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side. Stay safe, stay vigilant, and above all, stay hopeful.

Some useful resources:-

COVID Helpline 119

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/post-covid-syndrome-long-covid

We would be grateful if you could share this blogpost and the information and resources with any vulnerable people you know.

Voices of Hope Charity announces launch of online breathing course

Everyone knows how to breathe, as it is the first thing we do after our birth. But for some people, after a long-term respiratory condition breathing no longer comes naturally, or easily. 

To help people with breathing difficulties Voices of Hope, the Kingston-upon-Thames based charity, today announced the launch of its informative Active Breathing Course (ABC) website.

The six-week online course, originally launched in 2021, is designed to help people who need to recover from long-term respiratory conditions and to help them manage their fatigue, stress and anxiety levels. It's approved by the NHS and is led and guided by specialist professional tutors.

Having run in excess of 60 courses in the three years since its original creation, ABC has nine expert tutors leading the sessions who have worked with in excess of 600 people.

89% of participants found the course to be either helpful or very helpful.

Over 60% said they'd noticed great or good improvement in their overall breathing capacity.

Whilst the course originally came about in response to the devastating symptoms and impact of long-Covid, the courses now help people with a range of ongoing respiratory illnesses, plus benefitting those who are struggling with anxiety disorders.

Explains Voices of Hope CEO, Sarah Clay, BEM: “Respiratory disease impact one in five people in the UK. It's actually the third largest cause of death throughout England. 

"Not only does it have a distressing impact on the lives of the people involved and their families, it also puts a massive economic strain on our Health Service, with the cost of asthma and COPD treatment alone estimated at a staggering £4.9 billion each and every year."

She went on to explain: "Through our Active Breathing Course, we aim to help people manage their symptoms via a range of techniques, including the teaching of Diaphragmatic Breathing, controlled breathwork and singing exercises to help to strengthen the intercostal muscle. And it's all done in a creative, inspiring and empowering way.

"The course has been shown to have a positive impact on our participants and we partner extensively with charities, healthcare providers (including hospitals, GPs and social prescribers) and businesses, too. As a charity we can offer individuals a cost-effective way of improving their breathing and quality of life.”

Sarah Clay continued: “ABC can also offer great benefits to businesses, too. With bespoke courses available, we support businesses in improving staff well-being. Benefits can include higher energy and better creativity levels; a reduction in stress and anxiety levels in the workplace; improved posture and the positive release of endorphins.”

For more information about the Active Breathing course visit www.voh.org.uk/abc.