Self-reported long Covid is defined as symptoms persisting for more than four weeks after a first suspected virus infection that could not be explained by something else.

Although it is still not fully understood, many people continue to experience debilitating symptoms after a Covid infection, including extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory problems, insomnia, heart palpitations, dizziness and joint pain.

Fatigue continues to be the most common symptom – experienced by 51 per cent of those with self-reported long Covid in the ONS survey – followed by shortness of breath (35 per cent) and loss of smell (34 per cent), with a quarter of people continuing to experience loss of taste and having difficulty concentrating.

Some 281,000 (18 per cent) reported that their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been “limited a lot” by symptoms.

The ONS said prevalence was greatest in people deprived areas, those working in teaching and education, social care or healthcare, and those with another activity-limiting health condition or disability. These groups also align with those most at risk from Covid in general.

Women were also found to report more symptoms, although studies have shown that they are generally better at spotting symptoms for most illnesses.