The recent death of a 58-year-old woman at Mumbai's KEM Hospital has reignited concerns about the lingering presence of COVID-19. Former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar stated that the patient, who was admitted around midnight on May 14 with breathlessness, had tested positive for COVID-19.
“As per the information we received, the swabs did not indicate any other illness. However, the patient tested positive for COVID-19, and it seems that was the cause of death,” Pednekar told the media.
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While India has moved on from the height of the pandemic, cases like this highlight that the virus—and its aftershocks—still pose a threat.
One of the most insidious legacies of the pandemic has been long COVID, often referred to as the "silent pandemic."
Long COVID affects a significant portion of those who contracted the virus, especially during the first and second waves. Symptoms include brain fog, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, impaired memory, and an overall decline in cognitive function.
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"Approximately 20–30% of individuals who had COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms of Long COVID," says Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Consultant and Head of Critical Care at S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim (A Fortis Associate).
“These individuals present with persistent fatigue, loss of smell and taste, sleep disturbances, alopecia, and difficulty concentrating. Alarmingly, nearly 30% report that they can no longer exercise with the same intensity as before and experience breathlessness even with moderate exertion,” he adds.
Experts note that Long COVID symptoms are more commonly seen in patients who had severe COVID-19 including elderly, and those who had underlying health conditions.
The condition has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide and has disrupted the lives of millions. Studies suggest the risk of developing Long COVID can persist for up to three or four years after initial infection.
As isolated COVID-related deaths and long-term health issues continue to emerge, the question remains: Is the pandemic truly behind us—or just taking on a new form?
