Three in Four ‘Long Haulers’ Experience Limitations in Daily Activities, Study Finds
Although fewer Los Angeles County residents are getting severely ill from COVID-19, many still feel its lingering effects with conditions, such as fatigue, chronic coughing, or brain fog, that may last for days, months or even years after initial infection.
In a study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) Pandemic Research Center in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), more than half of the residents who said they had tested positive for COVID-19 at some point during the pandemic also reported having symptoms consistent with long COVID.
Three out of four people who reported symptoms lasting four weeks or more also reported that long COVID symptoms had limited them in going about their daily activities, such as going to work or school, socializing with loved ones or taking care of their personal needs. Of those, 25% reported significant limitations.
The findings from this study, closely resembled the results of a similar long COVID study, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that surveyed California residents.
While healthy individuals, and those who only experienced mild COVID-19 illness can develop long COVID, the CDC identifies certain individuals at higher risk: people who had a more severe COVID-19 illness, especially if they were hospitalized or needed intensive care; people with underlying health conditions prior to getting infected; people who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine; and children who experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) during or after COVID-19 illness.
The best way to prevent long COVID is to avoid getting infected or reinfected. The bivalent booster has been shown to reduce the likelihood of a severe infection, in turn potentially lowering the risk of developing long COVID.
Individuals with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms or severe limitations in daily activities extending more than four weeks after a COVID-19 infection, should contact their health care provider or a clinic specializing in Long-COVID recovery and rehabilitation.
The Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 also has well-trained staff who can answer questions about long COVID and provide a list of local clinics specializing in long COVID rehabilitation. The phone line is open seven days a week, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Vaccine and Therapeutics Access for Older People and People with Disabilities
Getting to a vaccination site, especially for people who are older or have disabilities, may present a difficulty. Public Health has worked to make resources available so that everyone who wants a bivalent booster can get one, free of charge regardless of immigration or insurance status.
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Free transportation is available to and from vaccination sites, including paratransit options. Request free transportation at MyTurn.ca.gov or call the number below.
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In-home vaccination is available for people who have trouble leaving their residence. Both COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and flu shots are available. Fill out the form here to request service or call the number below.
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Drive thru vaccine options allow the person to stay in their vehicle. Visit com and click “Only show drive-thru locations” under “Find a location near you” or call the number below.
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Telehealth services can connect you to medicine. You can speak to a provider about a prescription for therapeutics for suspected or positive cases of COVID-19. The medicine can be shipped free of charge.
Access these free services by calling 1-833-540-0473 8:00 am – 8:30 pm; 7 days a week.
Those At-Home COVID-19 Tests You’ve Had for Months? They’re Likely Still Good Despite What Their Expiration Dates Say
Many at-home COVID-19 tests remain effective for as much as up to one year after their original expiration dates. This has led to the Food and Drug Administration extending the expiration dates for many tests.
 The easiest way to tell if a test you are using is still effective is to take the test and ensure there is a control line, marked by a “C”. If the control line is absent or discolored, the test is truly expired and a different test should be used.
Remember, false negatives may occur if you test too soon after your COVID-19 exposure. In this case it is always a good idea if you have symptoms, to act as if you do have COVID until you retest – isolating and preventing potential exposure. To reduce risk of transmission, please continue to always mask within 10 days of the last exposure to a known COVID case.
At COVIDtests.gov residents can mail order four free tests per household. The federal government is also still requiring insurance companies to cover up to eight COVID-19 tests per month. This means in many pharmacies you can pick up COVID-19 tests, provide your insurance information, and get the tests with no up-front costs.
In LA County tests remain free at the following sites:
- Select libraries
- Schools
- Public health vaccine sites and clinics
Visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidtests for more information.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has developed a wide array of documents, guidance documents, and resources for the workers, businesses, partners, and the general public on a variety of topics related to COVID-19, including:
For the Public:
For Businesses:
It is recommended you follow @lapublichealth on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram the latest updates about Los Angeles County.
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:
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