February 15, 2022 – Intermountain Healthcare is launching a major new medical resource for Utahns who’re considered “long haulers” – people who have tested positive for coronavirus who continue to experience chronic symptoms months after their recovery from the virus.
Intermountain doctors outlined the new Intermountain Healthcare Long COVID Navigation Program and how it will serve as a resource for Utahns at a press briefing on Monday. The program is designed to help triage resources and care for COVID patients in Utah who have experienced ongoing COVID symptoms for 12 weeks or longer. Based on a patient’s condition, symptoms, and acuity, they’ll be referred to a specialist who can follow up and address their ongoing medical issues.
“As far as we know, this is one of the first kinds of COVID patient navigation programs in the nation,” said Dixie Harris, MD, a critical care physician at Intermountain Healthcare, who treats patients with COVID. “This is not a standalone clinic, but a multi-disciplinary approach and resource for patients across the state of Utah who are experiencing Long COVID.”
Some studies and surveys with patients show that between 30–50% of people infected with COVID continue to have bothersome symptoms for months, even though the virus is no longer in their bodies.
Based on those figures, researchers estimate that 100 million people worldwide have experienced lingering health concerns or are still reporting problems following a COVID infection and can be considered COVID Long Haulers.