Scientists, who assessed data from over 1,600 COVID-19 patients in the US, have found that nearly 7% patients died and 15% ended up back in the hospital within two months of leaving, reported PTI.

The researchers, which includes those from the University of Michigan in the US, analysed the data from 1648 COVID-19 patients admitted to 38 hospitals in Michigan, and found that 398 died during hospitalisation while 1250 survived.

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The researchers interviewed 488 of the surviving patients by phone around 60 days following their hospitalisation.

A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine says over 39% of the interviewed patients said they hadn’t gotten back to normal activities yet, two months after leaving the hospital. Almost 12% of them said they couldn’t carry out basic care for themselves anymore, or as well as before.

Study co-author Vineet Chopra from the University of Michigan said, “These data suggest that the burden of COVID-19 extends far beyond the hospital and far beyond health. The mental, financial and physical tolls of this disease among survivors appear substantial.”

According to the study, around 23% of the patients complained of becoming short of breath just climbing a flight of stairs, and one-third had ongoing COVID-like symptoms, including many who still had problems with taste or smell. 

Scientists said almost half of those interviewed said they’d been emotionally affected by their experience with COVID-19,  including a minority who said they’d sought mental health care. 

 Hallie Prescott another co-author of the study said, “The sheer number of people struggling after COVID brings new urgency to developing programs to better promote and support recovery after acute illness.”