In December 2024, 3% of young people indicated that they had symptoms for more than three months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection (post-COVID). Another 8% had had post-COVID before, but had recovered from it. Most post-COVID recovery occurs within six months, but we also see recovery after symptoms that lasted longer. These findings are from the fourteenth quarterly survey. The results of this study are part of Health Research for COVID-19.
The Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network) publishes a quarterly update on this page, summarising key results from survey research and data from primary care providers. A research update on adults is published every six months. The aim is to provide information to the municipalities, the provinces and the national government of the Netherlands to assist them in formulating policies to facilitate better pandemic preparedness and to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary of research round 14, December 2024
Recovery also possible after more than six months of post-COVID
In December 2024, young people were asked if they had experienced long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as tiredness, concentration problems, irritability or shortness of breath. If symptoms persist for longer than three months, it is called post-COVID, also sometimes referred to as Long COVID. In total, 3% had post-COVID at that time, and 8% indicated that they had recovered from post-COVID.
57% of the recovered young people had recovered within six months. Recovery took longer for the other 43%, including 2% who had recovered from their post-COVID symptoms after three years. Although most of the recovery took place in the first half-year after the onset of symptoms, recovery still took place even after that.
The young people who still suffered from long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection in December (3%) had often had symptoms for extended time periods. 21% had had symptoms for longer than three years. Only 10% developed symptoms in the six months before completing the survey, which marks a decrease in how many young people are still contracting post-COVID. More than two-thirds of young people with post-COVID feel moderately to severely restricted in their daily lives as a result of these symptoms.