The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a force to be reckoned with as the Delta variant causes a surge in new cases across the country even as over half the population has been vaccinated. While most people recover from a COVID infection within a few weeks, incidences of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection or PASC, otherwise known as "Long COVID," are alarmingly increasing. Symptoms of PASC commonly include cognitive impairment or "brain fog," chest pain and palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and joint pain. These symptoms may be new or persistent, arising up to four weeks after the initial illness. Two recent publications from the Journal of the American Medical Association report that three to 10 million Americans experience these symptoms, regardless of duration and intensity of the original COVID infection. A new study from The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) details PASC cases by state. Using COVID-19 data from Johns Hopkins University as well as U.S. census data, the AAPM&R study assumes that up to 30% of surviving COVID-19 cases result in PASC. "We must act now to form and implement a national crisis management plan that will help Americans impacted by PASC not only survive COVID-19 but regain their quality of life and return to being active members of their communities," said AAPM&R President Stuart M. Weinstein, MD, FAAPMR, in a statement. The AAPM&R represents more than 10,000 physiatrists or specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They treat a variety of medical conditions that affect the brain, nerves, muscles and tendons. See our slideshow above for the states with the most and least PASC cases. Related: |

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