A US survey - New corona-infected people: had health and financial difficulties even after discharge

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

新型コロナ感染者、退院後も健康面や経済面で苦慮　米調査

2020.11.16 Mon posted at 17:01 JST

 （ＣＮＮ） 新型コロナウイルスに感染した人は回復して退院した後も健康面や経済面で厳しい状態に直面する可能性が高いことがわかった。米ミシガン州での調査結果が医学誌に発表された。

ミシガン大学ヘルスシステムの研究者が、新型コロナウイルスに感染してミシガン州で治療を受けた患者４８８人について調べた。研究では３月１６日～７月１日に退院した患者を退院から約２カ月後に調査した。

退院した人のうち３分の１がせきや味覚や嗅覚（きゅうかく）の持続的な喪失などの健康問題が続いていると報告した。

約半数が精神的な影響が出たとしたほか、２８人は退院後に心の健康状態について治療を求めたと明らかにした。

３６％が入院によって少なくとも軽度な財政的な打撃を受けたと報告した。発症前に働いていた人のうち４０％は職を失ったり、復職できないほど健康状態が悪化したりした。復職した人のうち４分の１は、勤務時間を減らしたり業務を変更したりしたという。

研究は、今回のデータによって、新型コロナウイルスによる打撃は入院期間のはるか先にも及んでいることが確認されたと指摘した。

今回の研究には限界もあった。調査できたのは退院後６０日の時点で生存している追跡対象の患者のうち４１．８％にとどまった。調査は電話で３回以上コンタクトをする方法で実施された。

Translation

(CNN) It ​​was found that people infected with the new coronavirus were likely to face severe health and financial conditions even after recovering and discharged from the hospital. The results of a survey in Michigan of the USA were published in a medical journal.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System examined 488 patients who were infected with the new coronavirus and treated in Michigan. The study investigated patients discharged from March 16th to July 1^st, and were about two months after being discharged.

One-third of those discharged reported that they continued to have health problems such as coughing and persistent loss of taste and smell.

Approximately half said they had psychological consequences, and 28 people said they sought treatment for their mental health after discharge.

Thirty-six percent reported that the hospitalization had been at least a minor financial blow. Forty percent of those who worked before the infection lost their jobs, or their health deteriorated beyond their ability to return to work. A quarter of those who returned to work said they reduced their working hours or changed their jobs.

The study noted that the data confirmed that the impact of the new coronavirus extended far beyond the hospital stay.

There were limits to this study. Only 41.8% of the follow-up patients alive 60 days after discharge were able to be investigated. The survey was conducted by contacting at least three times by telephone.

              I think the situation of the discharged patients in the US will be the same as those in the rest of the world. It is worth noting that the impact of the new coronavirus extends far beyond hospital stays. So, remember to follow the health guidelines given by the government so as to prevent COVID -19 infections.