Primary school-aged children with long Covid are significantly more likely to have a mental disorder than those without, according to a survey. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found pupils from reception to Year 7 suffering long-term effects of the virus were 30 per cent more likely to have at least one probable mental illness.
Parents across the country were sent questions to answer on behalf of their children, with around one per cent of primary school pupils estimated to meet the Delphi criteria for long Covid. The Delphi method defines long Covid as being present if symptoms affecting everyday life continue over a 12-week period or longer.
A total of eight per cent of primary school-aged pupils were found to have a probable mental disorder and a further 7.6 per cent had a possible mental disorder, according to the figures. About 30 per cent of children with long Covid presented with a probable mental illness compared with 7.7 per cent without long Covid.
