Crater Health District launches study on Long COVID

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Health's Crater Health District has launched a study on Long COVID to learn how prevalent it is among residents and understand its impact on daily life.

According to the department, Long COVID is a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is present for at least 3 months.

"The goal of the study is to evaluate the impact of Long COVID on daily activities and identify any unmet resource needs of those affected in the community," the department said.

Crater Health District staff will reach out to residents in the cities of Emporia, Hopewell and Petersburg, as well as in Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Sussex and Surry counties who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Those who only tested positive via at-home COVID-19 tests are not eligible to participate.

According to the department, staff will follow up with residents who reported a COVID-19 diagnosis through a telephone survey. Calls will be made Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and will continue until all residents who tested positive within the health district have been contacted or funding is no longer available.

After obtaining verbal consent, the department said an interviewer will ask participants to complete a questionnaire. Interviews can take up to an hour. All information provided will be kept confidential and used only for the survey and responses will be stored securely.