Thought of the Day - August 13 - COVID-19 "Long-Haulers"

As reported some time ago, the issue with getting COVID-19 might not just be the risk of death (Thought of the Day - May 20 - What Does Recovered Mean). While most people are asymptomatic and are largely unaware they have been infected, and many people officially diagnosed recover in a few weeks, there is a significant percentage (1-2%) reporting they still have symptoms months afterwards. Moreover, while primary symptoms may subside, fatigue continues, possibly due to the effects of organ damage (lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, even brain) or compromised immune system that may turn out to be chronic.

This group is now being referred to as "Long-Haulers". And many in Canada are not really on any list. Indeed it was sad to see Quebec was pressured into adopting the "Recovered" criterion used by most other provinces from the early days (when we knew little about the long-term effects of COVID-19)(Thought of the Day - July 19 - By the Numbers). Basically, if you were never admitted to hospital and are through the quarantine period, or have left the hospital and have not returned for a couple of weeks, you are now officially "Recovered" even if you can hardly get out of bed.

Many of the false rumours that you could be reinfected or catch COVID-19 a second time may actually stem from the readmission of "Long-Haulers".

The key message is to remember for every case still listed as Active in Canada there are now far more "Long-Haulers" wondering what their fate might be, and at this stage, we really don't know.

Cheers

Cliff