MORE and more people have become unpaid carers during the Covid-19 pandemic, organisations have reports.

Charities and groups have also warned that during the coronavirus crisis, existing carers have been taking on more responsibility.

It comes with day care and respite provision closed or reduced and cases of long-term Covid increasing.

Groups are reporting that a majority have not taken any breaks during the pandemic, leaving them 'exhausted'.

The findings are backed up by a Care Quality Commission report that looked at the quality of health and care both before the Covid-19 outbreak, and during the pandemic.

Furness Carers chief executive Craig Backhouse has anecdotal evidence of the detrimental impact of continual caring, with no respite is having on carers’ health.

He said: “What we are seeing in our part of Cumbria is most carers have had to provide more care throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Now almost a year on, it has left many exhausted and close to burning out.

“Carers UK findings show, 64 per cent of unpaid carers have not been able to take any breaks at all during the pandemic.

"This has resulted in more than half, 58 per cent of carers seeing their physical health impacted by caring through the pandemic, while 64 per cent said their mental health has worsened.”

Research into Long Term COVID led by Dr Claire Steves and Professpr Tim Spector at King’s College London estimate that one in 20 people are likely to suffer from the long Covid, which causes shortness of breath, heart symptoms, fatigue and headaches.

And their Covid Symptom Study said this long-term illness is frustrating and debilitating for those who are affected, with the potential to have a significant impact on wider society.

Carers Support South Lakes CEO Mike Seaton said: “The latest figures from Carers UK show 81 per cent - that’s four in five unpaid Carers are providing more care than before the first lockdown.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the lives of carers and those they are caring for.

"A majority have had to provide extraordinary hours of care for loved ones with increasing needs during the crisis, often without the usual help from family and friends, and with limited or no support from local services."

Furness Carers can contacted at admin@furnesscarers.co.uk or 01229 82282. Carers Support can be contacted on 01539 815970.