COVID-19 symptoms do not disappear for all patients after they test negative, with 40 percent of people still having physical and psychological problems two months later, an Italian study has found.

Renzo Rozzini, director of the coronavirus ward at the Poliambulanza di Brescia Hospital, studied 500 patients from the first wave of infections and he made the worrying findings.

"The 40 percent have symptoms that affect the respiratory system. There is also a high number who have general physical symptoms such as tiredness and more than 50 percent with psychological problems such as insomnia, concentration loss and depression," he said.

In February, Morena Colombi was hospitalized after becoming Italy's second confirmed COVID-19 and her problems continued well after getting a negative test. 

"Absolute tiredness, as if you haven't slept all night, muscle pain, hand tremors, headaches, loss of memory – and a struggle to breathe," she said.

In May, Colombi, 59, founded a Facebook support group that now has 11,000 members.

"I feel proud because I understand that they really need this group, to know they are not alone in confronting this period post-COVID," she continued.

Church officer Emanuele Mangili is also struggling to return to normal life as he battles aching bones and muscles. 

"What makes me more scared than if the symptoms don't pass, is that they won't be recognized as a post-COVID condition," he said.

For Laura Pellizza she feels like she has aged 10 years since her negative result in April. 

"Starting from the nausea, tremors, the cough, loss of memory and debilitating tiredness. Eight months have passed and my fear is that the symptoms will never go away," she said.

Rozzini says at this stage it is unclear what is behind these problems and whether they are the result of pre-existing conditions or in some way caused by the virus.

Many former patients feel neglected by the healthcare system and want more support. Colombi said: "We are asking for help and recognition," but that they are being ignored.

Italy is battling a second wave of COVID-19 with the country last week recording 993 deaths on a single day, its highest ever daily toll.

The rate of contagion is now slowing down, but the government says restrictions will remain in place during the festive season in a bid to prevent a third wave of infection in January.

The measures are supported by those still struggling to overcome the effects of the virus.

"We are becoming a population of sick people and so while lockdown is difficult now, it is necessary for the future," said Pellizza.