Epsom Hospital have joined other NHS Trusts for a new promotional video that documents the dangers of Covid-19 and urges young people in particular to get vaccinated against the virus.

On Monday (August 23), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a new campaign in the form of a video featuring clips of Covid patients being asked about their experiences after contracting the virus.

The DHSC hope to increase vaccine uptake among young people after pointing out that Covid infection rates in the UK are highest among people aged 20-24 years old.

Hours after the DHSC posted the video to Twitter, Epsom Hospital retweeted and described how one of the patients in the video, a 25-year-old woman named Meghan, had been treated for the virus in Epsom.

In the DHSC video, Meghan described her experiences living with persistent symptoms of coronavirus so-called 'Long Covid':

"I could sleep for a week and still feel tired. The kind of other one that I've really suffered with is joint and body aches. Kind of when you've got a cold, when you've got the flu, that all-over ache. Like even your teeth hurt. I get that most of the time. I feel like I'm always sore in some way," she said.

Another patient featured in the video, 23-year-old Ella, was also treated at Epsom Hospital according to the NHS trust.

"I was 21, fit, healthy and active. But then for seven months solid, I felt like I might die. My advice to anyone is to get the vaccine," she said. "It’s a naïve way of thinking to think you’re invincible just because you are young and healthy."

The video was published as new Covid infections rose in some parts of the country including various centres in Surrey such as Epsom.

According to the latest Public Health England (PHE) data, there were 237 new cases of Covid-19 in Epsom and Ewell in the seven days to August 18, up 12 per cent on the previous seven-day period.

PHE data shows that 234 people have died in Epsom and Ewell with Covid-19 mentioned as a cause on their death certificate.

Ella and Megan were joined in the film by Covid Rehabilitation Lead for Surrey Downs Tom Williamson.

"It is heart-breaking seeing young people in our Long Covid programmes - and the long-term, possibly permanent, changes the virus had made to their lives," he said.

"Some patients can no longer do the sports and activities they love, and some are still unable to have work many months after becoming ill. My message is clear, COVID-19 can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness or lifestyle, so please get vaccinated: it’s the best way to protect yourself and others."

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