LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Britain is putting 8.4 million
pounds ($10.49 million) into a new study to examine the
long-term effects of COVID-19 on patients, the health ministry
said on Sunday.
The novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19 has been
observed to cause many health impacts for some patients beyond
immediate respiratory issues, but with other infected people
asymptomatic, the workings of the virus are not fully
understood.
"As we continue our fight against this global pandemic, we
are learning more and more about the impact the disease can
have, not only on immediate health, but longer-term physical and
mental health too," health minister Matt Hancock said.
The Department of Health said 10,000 people would take part
in the study, which is being led by the University of Leicester
and hospitals in the city.
Lung and blood samples of the patients will be taken and
they will also be assessed by advanced imaging, and the findings
will be used to develop new forms of personalised treatment.
($1 = 0.8011 pounds)
(Reporting by Alistair Smout
Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)