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Donald Gordon, President of the Association of General Practitioners in Jamaica
Researchers say as many as one in three people infected with COVID-19 have longer term mental health or neurological symptoms.
The study published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry found that 34 per cent of COVID-19 survivors received a diagnosis for a neurological or psychological condition within six months of their infection.
The most common diagnosis was anxiety, found in 17 per cent of those treated for COVID-19, followed by mood disorders, found in 14 per cent of patients.
However, COVID-19 did not necessarily increase the risk for the full spectrum of neurological illness, with the study finding no increased risk of parkinsonism and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
It's the largest study of its kind yet and involved the electronic health records of more than 236,000 COVID-19 patients, mostly in the US.
More awareness needed
In the meantime, Donald Gordon, President of the Association of General Practitioners in Jamaica, said there is need for public awareness of the long term effects of the coronavirus.
Dr. Gordon noted that the effects are not just limited to neurological issues but can also cause heart and breathing problems.
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