Wellbeing | From Long Covid to ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Latest trends and employer support

Around 2 million people in the UK alone have had Long Covid for more than 12 months, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics. And the majority of these people are of working age. In other words, Long Covid is having an ever-growing impact on the workplace.

Reports are now suggesting that some people diagnosed with Long Covid for more than 12 months are having their diagnosis changed to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) for short; a long-term condition, also often triggered by an initial viral infection. ME/CFS would likely meet the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010, unlike Long Covid, which doesn’t; not yet at least.