Understanding Post-COVID-19 Condition in Canada
PHAC Chief Science Officer reports what we know, don’t know, and a framework for action: Research, Patient/Family Support & Preparedness
Guest Speaker: Dr. Sarah Viehbeck, Chief Science Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada and Member, Chief Science Advisor of Canada’s Task Force on Post-COVID-19 Condition.
The lingering complex symptoms experienced by a significant number of COVID-19 survivors weeks after infection, “long Covid” or post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is not a homogeneous disease. Individuals suffer from a wide spectrum of symptoms and conditions ranging from well-defined medical entities, like hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia, to broad or medically undefined symptoms such as cognitive problems (“brain fog”), exhaustion, chronic pain and fatigue.
The impact of PCC goes beyond health. PCC affects the ability to work and perform daily tasks, creating considerable consequences for individuals and communities as well as broader socio-economic impacts.