Headlines on long COVID have become much more rare than during the first few years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This study entailed developing and running a computational simulation model that represented what might happen to each person after suffering COVID-19, including the risk of that person developing different types of long COVID and the resulting symptoms, healthcare costs and lost-work productivity.
Based on our simulations, a single case of long COVID could cost the U.S. an average of between $9,906 and $11,646 annually, with more severe cases costing even more. Productivity losses would account for well over 90% of these costs, which means that employers around the country will be affected.
Taking the most conservative 6% end of that range and assuming that long COVID symptoms would only last for one year results in an annual cost of $2.01 billion. Increasing this percentage to 10% would push the estimated annual burden to $3.4 billion.
Despite the lack of preventive options and the need for more answers, the U.S. is moving further away from being able to effectively manage long COVID.
Without any changes, the number of people with long COVID is almost certain to grow, and those with persistent long COVID symptoms could continue to suffer and cost society.
Our study shows literally billions of reasons why all of this is a big problem.
