Two thirds of Irish nurses recovering from Covid-19 still experiencing fatigue

"Despite recovery, they are still facing exhaustion."

Two thirds of Irish nurses recovering from Covid-19 are still experiencing fatigue. A new report issued by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Associations (INMO) showed that 65 percent of nurses who contracted Covid-19 are still experiencing exhaustion despite having recovered from the virus. The vast majority (91 percent) are still experiencing other symptoms including mental health difficulties, headaches and breathing problems. 545 nurses of the 7,000 nurses and midwives surveyed had contracted Covid-19 while working. Other post-viral symptoms experienced by many respondents included anxiety, trouble concentrating or “brain fog", dizziness, recurring fever, and palpitations. “Fatigue is a major risk to patient and staff safety – especially in a pandemic," INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said. "Many of our members are reporting that despite recovery, they are still facing exhaustion. "The impacts of this virus can be long-lasting, so nurses and midwives returning to work after recovery are going to need support. For many, there will be a long road to full recovery." 81 percent of nurses surveyed (those who had contracted Covid-19 and those who hadn't), said that working in the health service during the pandemic had affected their mental health. Ní Sheaghdha said that going forward into winter, nurses need certainty "that past mistakes are being corrected." “As winter approaches, frontline staff face a toxic combination of fatigue and understaffing," she said. "Safe staffing levels are the only way to ensure that our health service is not overwhelmed. We urgently need a clear plan to ramp up health service capacity before winter hits.”