The year 2024 was characterized by glimmers of hope and disillusionment. The number of people newly infected with Long COVID is falling with new virus variants. At the same time, however, the rate of infection is increasing, as hardly any protective measures are being considered anymore.
Many people have reverted to their usual attitude of "As long as I'm fit enough to work with the help of Neocitran, aspirin etc., I can go to the office" and go out among people despite having a fever, which increases the risk of infection.
Even though the number of new cases appears to be declining (many new cases may not be recognized as Long COVID as people are no longer tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection), there are still many people who contracted Long COVID at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and still have not recovered.
A lot has happened in research in 2024.
There were new rays of hope...
There was exciting news from Zurich right at the start of the year. A working group at the USZ has discovered a link between Long COVID and the complement system that could enable diagnosis via biomarkers in the future. Here is a summary of the results and an interview with the first author on the implications of this discovery.
Overall, several studies have been published this year that may help to better understand Long COVID. These include new findings on the role of sex hormones, the handling of odor disorders or the dysregulation of the immune system in Long COVID with ME/CFS.
In May of this year, experts from the D-A-CH region published a consensus statement on the treatment of ME/CFS. The comprehensive description provides professionals with support for the diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS, a common form of Long COVID.
... and disillusionment
Alongside the bright spots, there were also some setbacks this year. Two very promising studies had to report negative results. The drug temelimab, which is currently used to treat multiple sclerosis, was tested in Long COVID patients. In June 2024, it was announced that no added value could be found compared to placebo.
Another very promising candidate was the drug BC 007 from Berlin Cures, which was developed for the treatment of Long COVID. Unfortunately, this drug was also unable to achieve a benefit over placebo, as communicated in November 2024.
There were also glimmers of hope in the Swiss society.
Efforts to generate more attention for Long COVID are bearing fruit. This year, for example, the topic was taken up twice in the SRF program Kassensturz.
In August 2024, the care situation for people affected by Long COVID was discussed at a roundtable with the FOPH, representatives of the Swiss Society for ME/CFS, the FMH and the associations ME/CFS Switzerland and Long COVID Switzerland. There was a consensus that a national strategy must be launched to improve the situation.
Christian Salzmann, a person affected by Long COVID, was able to obtain a landmark decision from the Federal Supreme Court this spring. The potential precedent-setting case concerns the assumption of costs for H.E.L.P apharesis, which Christian states has significantly improved his state of health. His health insurance company had previously refused to cover the costs due to a lack of evidence for the procedure.
Raising awareness of Long COVID remains a challenge. There are still major gaps, even among specialists. In order to close these gaps, Altea and LUNGE Zurich organized a Long COVID symposium with around 150 Swiss general practitioners. At the symposium, all aspects relating to the diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID were discussed by experienced specialists.
What will the new year bring?
After 4 years, we at Altea are still highly motivated to support people affected by Long COVID and professionals with information on the topic.
After the COVID-19 Act expires at the end of 2024, the FOPH will unfortunately no longer be able to provide financial support for Altea. However, some cantons have decided to continue funding Altea.
The Federal Council recommends that the cantons continue to support information and exchange platforms on post-COVID-19 conditions.
Thanks to the support of the following cantons, we will be able to continue Altea in 2025:
- Basel-Stadt
- Graubünden
- Obwalden
- Schaffhausen
- Schwyz
- Solothurn
- Uri
- Zug
- Zürich
With the help of the resources provided by the FOPH, we have been able to build up a large network in recent years, drive forward the development of the information platform with numerous guidebooks, stories and blogs, maintain a moderated forum and much more.
With the financial resources that the aforementioned cantons are making available to us for 2025, we can continue to operate the Altea information platform, even if we have to forego further development of the platform in the future and reduce the editorial scope.
We would like to thank all the cantons for continuing to support us in 2025!
We would also like to thank all those affected and specialists who provided us with ideas and suggestions for a total of 67 blogs and stories this year. We are particularly pleased that participation in the Altea Forum has doubled compared to last year. More than 240 topics were discussed in the forum this year.
With a big thank you to everyone who is helping Altea to raise and contain awareness for Long COVID, the Altea editorial team is taking a 2-week winter break.
We wish everyone a relaxing end to the year and a good start to 2025. We hope that some people affected by Long COVID can end this year better than it may have started.
We also hope that next year's research will bring new hope and that social structures will be created that offer all those affected by post-viral syndromes the support they need.
Your Altea Team
