Two years ago, life changed dramatically for Morten Iversen. A month after he was infected with the coronavirus, he woke up to a completely new version of himself. – I felt completely drained of energy. Everything became very heavy. Even getting dressed became almost prohibitive. It hit like a bomb, he says. Morten Iversen has become shady, and must always wear sunglasses outdoors. Photo: Jan-Erik Wilthil / news In the first months he was affected by extreme exhaustion. The doctor thought it could be late effects of covid-19, and chose to put him on 50 percent sick leave. Later he developed other symptoms. – I have become shy of sound and shadows, and I struggle to concentrate, he says. Iversen works at the State Administrator in Oslo and Viken. Now he is unable to be at work more than a few hours a week. And the family man from Drammen is not alone. Record-high sickness absence Large parts of the population were probably infected by the coronavirus during last year. The pandemic is now having a clear impact on sickness absence. One diagnosis in particular stands out in the statistics. Statistician Ulf Andersen at NAV. Photo: NAV – Many people have been diagnosed with laxity/fatigue. We see that this has a clear connection with corona, says Statistics Manager Ulf Andersen at NAV. The number of patients with this diagnosis has nearly doubled over the course of five years. In the course of last year alone, sickness absence rose by more than 33 per cent, and lethargy/fatigue is the diagnosis that increased the most in the last quarter of last year. – We also see that these people are on sick leave for significantly longer than is usual. The average for all sick leave is 40 days. The group that is affected by laxity/fatigue is away from work for 59 days, says Andersen. NHO: – Disturbing The high level of sickness absence is costing employers dearly. – These are disturbingly high figures. This is painful for the individual who is affected, and a loss for society and businesses, says director Øystein Dørum of the Norwegian Business Confederation. Chief economist Øystein Dørum at NHO believes that slack and tired Norwegians cost society and companies billions. Photo: Berit Roald He believes that sickness absence due to laxity/fatigue costs society billions. – SINTEF has calculated that a day’s work costs approximately NOK 3,500. If 1.3 million man-days have been lost, that amounts to NOK 4.5 billion, says Dørum. He emphasizes that this sum only gives an indication of the costs. – How big the loss will be depends on the extent to which the employers can plan for people to get back to work, says Dørum. – Can affect anyone Doctor and researcher Arne Søraas has led the Norwegian corona study, which has followed up 150,000 Norwegians through the pandemic. He fears that many will suffer late effects from the disease, even if they escaped in the first round. Arne Søraas is an infectious disease specialist and researcher at Oslo University Hospital. Photo: Torstein Bøe / news – The Omikron variant causes a milder illness, but there is no guarantee that you will not be affected by “long-covid”. There are many indications that the chance increases each time you become infected. It’s pure lottery, says Søraas. Nor does the vaccine seem to have a particular effect on the late effects. – Our study indicates that it works little, but it is somewhat preventive against the cognitive symptoms, says Søraas. He emphasizes that most people are not affected very badly, and that they get better within a short time. – Those affected by fatigue and lethargy seem to gradually improve over time. The cognitive problems, such as poor memory, often last much longer. Søraas believes Norwegian health authorities do not have a good enough overview of the extent of “long covid” in the population. – That covid can lead to long-term effects is more recognized abroad. This is a little under-communicated in Norway, Søraas believes. Uncertain future For Morten Iversen, the future is still uncertain. He does not know if or when he will recover. – I have faith that I will get well again, but I don’t think the healthcare system can help me. I think this is something the body just has to correct itself, he says. Iversen has received help via several treatment options, but still struggles with poor concentration and memory. In addition, he works poorly in noisy environments. The illness has not only led to prolonged absences from work. It has also cost dearly at home. – That is the biggest loss. I have two daughters, aged nine and four, and I don’t feel like I’m enough. A lot falls on the wife, who wears herself out, says Iversen. Uncertain future: Morten Iversen does not know if he will fully recover. Photo: Jan-Erik Wilthil / news
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Morten can’t bear to work: – I don’t recognize myself
