Thousands of people have been severely affected by the coronavirus.

Although it has been almost two years since the first covid-19 infections became known, many are still seriously ill.

According to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' expert group on covid-19, as many as 10,000 to 20,000 people in Västra Götaland can suffer from long-term covid, which in healthcare is often called postcovid.

But they state that the number of people in the dark can be high because many victims do not have the strength to seek care.

Walks with walker

A victim, who was forced to start walking with a walker after covid-19 when her body motor skills stopped working, states that her health center sent several referrals to Skaraborg Hospital.

To the cardiologist, the neurologist and to the lung clinic and everyone has been rejected.

She has also been refused admission to the postcovid clinic at Östra Hospital in Gothenburg, despite the fact that there is no specialist clinic where she lives.

- My almost two years as a patient have been a nightmare that is exacerbated by the lack of care, she writes.

More receptions underway

Åsa Lundgren Nilsson is chairman of the regional process team for rehabilitation and follow-up of postcovid in Västra Götaland, and according to her, more postcovid clinics are now being started.

- We work according to the principle of close care for the citizens and the idea is that there should be receptions at the large hospitals in Skövde, Trollhättan and Borås, says Åsa Lundgren Nilsson.

One reason why it has taken time is that it is a new disease.

- We learn all the time and we hope a lot for the upcoming research that can give us new and good treatment methods.

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Hear in the clip why long-term patients in covid had to wait so long for care in Västra Götaland.

Photo: SVT