Long Covid on the decline for the first time

Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of concentration and joint pain.

As well as affecting day-to-day activities, for some people the condition can be severely limiting.

However, there is currently no clear way of diagnosing the condition and the symptoms are often vague or common.

Last year, the ONS found that although five per cent of people reported at least one long Covid symptom 12 to 16 weeks after a coronavirus infection, around 3.4 per cent of people who had never had coronavirus also reported suffering similar symptoms.

Separate data from the ONS released on Thursday also showed that one in seven people asked to shield during the pandemic were still shielding, while 68 per cent were taking extra precautions.

However, the research also found that those offered preventative and antiviral drugs felt more comfortable with getting back to their lives.

Tim Gibbs, head of public services analysis team at ONS, said: “The majority of those asked to shield during the pandemic are still taking precautions, despite shielding guidance ending last year.

“It is encouraging that three-quarters of respondents who took the treatment offered felt it had a positive effect in reducing symptoms, hopefully offering a chance for those most at risk to the effects of COVID-19 to feel more comfortable socialising.”

Coronavirus cases are continuing to increase in England, rising 26 per cent in a week, although latest data show signs that the growth may be slowing.