Italy's Coronavirus Rehab Centre Tackling It's Lingering Effects

GENOA, ITALY - JULY 23: Roberto Bruzzone, 57-years-old is seen during his ultrasound at the Department of Rehabilitative Cardiology of ASL 3 Genova on July 22, 2020 in Genoa, Italy. Roberto Bruzzone spent 45 days in hospital after contracting Covid and still suffers from fatigue. There is an estimated 14 million confirmed Coronavirus cases worldwide, with a reported 8 million recovering patients. In 80 percent of COVID-19 cases, recovery is complicated, leaving physical and psychological consequences that do not easily subside or allow survivors to return to normal life. The first Covid veterans gym, a project of Genoas ASL 3 and rehabilitation cardiology department directed by Cardiologist Piero Clavario, aims to address this. Designed to reactivate the heart, muscles and lungs, the gyms rehabilitation process gives patients a 2-month protocol, overseen by a staff of four doctors, three nurses, one psychologist and a physiotherapist. Of approximately 700 patients who were previously hospitalized with Covid, 100 patients were selected to participate in the gym, with the first 12 patients now 6 weeks into their rehabilitation process. Treatment is designed to combat numerous effects of the disease. Half of all patients hospitalized for Covid will be left with lung fibrosis, causing difficulty breathing. The nervous system is also affected as evidenced by the loss of taste and smell. Meanwhile 80 percent of patients suffer cognitive impairments such as memory loss and orientation difficulties, 40 percent show symptoms of depression and others experience chronic fatigue and rapid weight loss. According to American research known as the Dallas Bed Rest Study, three weeks in intensive care is equal to 10 years of aging another side effect of Covid the team at the Covid veterans gym hopes to help patients overcome. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)