People who are infected with long Covid at work should receive compensation, MPs suggest

15 January 2021, 10:24 | Updated: 15 January 2021, 11:17

MPs are calling for long Covid to be classed as an "occupational disease"
MPs are calling for long Covid to be classed as an "occupational disease". Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

MPs are calling for long Covid to be classed as an "occupational disease" and for frontline workers who are infected whilst doing their job to receive compensation.

While some people have a mild form of illness from Covid-19, others have been seriously affected with long Covid.

People affected with long-term symptoms have described how they have been previously fit and healthy and now they are confined to a wheelchair.

Breathlessness and fatigue have been reported by long-term sufferers and some have described how doing shopping or climbing stairs can leave them bed-ridden for days.

Long Covid could affect up to one in 10 people who get the disease, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran has said in parliament that the condition needs "more research and recognition."

Virologist 'concerned' over 'more infectious' Brazilian Covid strain

"Long Covid sufferers feel that they are forgotten in this pandemic, and their plight needs recognition by both the state and employers," she said.

Ms Moran, has called on the government to establish a "national register of cases" as well as a compensation scheme in order to support those who are left unable to work after contracting the disease in their jobs, such as doctors, nurses and teachers.

She also said it should be considered an "occupational disease" for frontline workers, who are more at risk of contracting Covid-19.

"There are key workers on the frontline who have no choice but to do their job with inadequate PPE and testing, and now face financial ruin for doing their duty," said Ms Moran.

"It is unacceptable. We need to protect our heroes on the frontline who can't work because they have long Covid."

Ms Moran said that there could be up to 4,000 new long Covid patients daily, as around 40,000 new infections are reported.

Clinician explains Long Covid variants as 1 in 10 will suffer

One LBC caller had a harrowing tale of her life with long Covid and the long term impact the virus is having on her months later.

Sam in Dunmow called to tell LBC her moving tale of life with long Covid.

She told LBC's Iain Dale she contracted coronavirus on the 7th of September but that she became so unwell she had to go to the hospital.

Telling LBC it "took a while" to be diagnosed she described the process as "one step forwards two steps back.""I'm still out of breath if I walk up the stairs if I try to communicate I feel I'm getting out of breath."

She told LBC she was on sick leave from her work in a school.

Describing the illness as a "very lonely road," Sam told Iain that when you get Covid nobody wants to see you.

Long covid sufferer tells LBC she feels like 'half a woman'

The caller explained to Iain that any time she attempts to do anything she is left in a huge amount of pain.

"The brain fog is ridiculous," she told LBC explaining how she was working to recover from the illness.

Describing her symptoms Sam said the pain in her wrists means she cannot even open a water bottle.

Sam told Iain the pain leaves her feeling like she wants to sob.

Telling LBC she was a health and active woman before she said she looks at photos from her Facebook profile and wonders "where is that woman? When is she coming back?"

"I feel half a mother, I feel half a woman, I feel half a partner because everything is a struggle," Sam explained.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Polling station at Deptford Park School.

Russian networks tried to disrupt UK election but did not cause ‘notable’ impact, security minister says

IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania

Russian spies accused of firebombing Ikea store ‘because colours are the same as the Ukraine flag’

Facial recognition will be used to help passengers skip passport queues at ports.

British travellers arriving back in UK could 'avoid passport queues' with new facial recognition technology

The White House said Trump is ‘determined’ to get a peace deal in Ukraine over the line, as the US president gears up for talks for Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

‘We’ve never been closer to a peace deal’ in Ukraine, says White House ahead of Trump-Putin talks

A prison officer walks down the C wing at Wandsworth prison.

Number of prisoners reaches six-month high, despite thousands being released early to ease overcrowding

Richard Burrows, 80, was found guilty of 54 offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday, including indecent assault of boys, buggery, attempted buggery and indecency with a child.

Paedophile scout leader who spent 27 years on the run found guilty of dozens child sex abuse crimes

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as Us attacks on Houthis continue

‘Iran will suffer the consequences’ - Trump raises prospect of war with Iran as US attacks on Houthis continue

Owen Cooper (l) and Stephen Graham (r) star in Adolescence

Revealed: Secret behind incredible camera shot in Netflix's new 'masterpiece' Adolescence

Drag star The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family said today

Drag star The Vivienne died from cardiac arrest caused by taking ketamine, family say

Irish professional mixed martial artist and businessman Conor McGregor visited the White House on Monday.

‘He doesn’t reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day’: Row erupts after Conor McGregor appears in The White House

`

Man who shouted 'Die, die, die' while stabbing man in quiet street in broad daylight sentenced to life

Harry Purcell, 17, Matilda 'Tilly' Seccombe, 16, and Frank Wormald, 16 died in the crash

Teen driver who killed three friends, aged 16 and 17, in crash on way home from school faces years in prison

Princess Kate enjoyed a Guinness as she joined soldiers in the cookhouse

Princess of Ales! Kate buys a round for the Irish Guards at St Patrick’s Day parade

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Trump to speak with Putin tomorrow as Starmer says 30 countries will sign up to peacekeeping plan

Yvette Cooper argued against the decision but it was upheld

Albanian criminal 'avoids deportation because video calls would be ‘harsh’ on stepson'

Keir Starmer

Overhauling 'unsustainable' benefits 'makes moral and economic sense', ministers insist, amid brewing Labour revolt