A global systematic analysis of the occurrence, severity, and recovery pattern of long COVID in 2020 and 2021

Abstract

<b>Question:</b> What are the extent and nature of the most common long COVID symptoms by country in 2020 and 2021?<b>Findings:</b> Globally, 144.7 million people experienced one or more of three symptom clusters (fatigue; cognitive problems; and ongoing respiratory problems) of long COVID three months after infection, in 2020 and 2021. Most cases arose from milder infections. At 12 months after infection, 15.1% of these cases had not yet recovered.<b>Meaning:</b> The substantial number of people with long COVID are in need of rehabilitative care and support to transition back into the workplace or education when symptoms start to wane.