In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. To date, Ontario was confirmed more than 547,000 cases of COVID-19. For the majority of people, symptoms resolve within 4 weeks; however, a significant amount of people experience “long COVID” or post-COVID syndrome. For these people, symptoms of COVID-19 persist long after they have been infected (usually defined as 12 weeks or more). A key research question to be addressed in this study is how to best provide care to patients suffering with Long COVID. Specifically, we will be evaluating whether an electronic case management system improves outcomes in those with Long COVID.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. In response, much of the world drastically altered daily activities, limiting travel, shuttering businesses and encouraging people to shelter in place. There has been growing concern about the potential mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are three reasons for this. First, there is the social impact of the pandemic with widespread unemployment, economic slowdown, lockdowns, contraction of health services and the imposition of physical distancing. This has been accompanied by public health messages that reinforce fears about coming into contact with others. Second, individuals infected with the coronavirus may have an increased sense of guilt, shame, concerns about infected others as well as the infection triggering memories of previous severe illnesses. Third, the virus may have a direct effect on the brain, indirectly via the immune response or as a result of treatment for the infection.

To address the impact of COVID-19 on mental illness, we are conducting the Eastern Ontario COVID-19 Community Mental Health Cohort (ECCOM) Study.