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SALT LAKE CITY– The University of Utah Health recently opened the first clinic in the state dedicated to treating COVID-19 long haulers. Coronavirus survivors still suffering symptoms will have a place to turn to for help now.
The clinic specific to long haulers will include medical professionals from 10 different specialties to address the wide range of post-COVID-19 symptoms.
Along with seeing patients, the clinic will conduct research on the virus’s lasting health impacts.
“There was a big need for this, and it just didn’t exist within the region,” said Dr. John Inadomi with U Health. “We’re innovators at the University of Utah, and we felt like we needed to take the point on this important topic.”
Researchers and doctors also plan to dive into some of COVID-19’s less known symptoms such as the ringing of the ears.
U Health says around 300 long haulers have already volunteered for research on COVID-19 long-term effects. However, in order to utilize the clinic, a referral is needed from a primary care provider.
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One Utah long hauler is hoping the long haul clinic will provide much-needed relief.
“My symptoms continue to get worse,” Lisa O’Brien told KSL-TV. “Through months six and seven [post-COVID-19], my heart right just got higher and higher and higher.”
As a way to cope with the prolonged effects, O’Brien started a Facebook group for Utah COVID-19 long haulers.
A common grievance among Utah long haulers was the inability to receive proper treatment or diagnosis of their condition.
“That’s one of the biggest reasons I started the group last June is because I was having such a hard time getting people to take me seriously,” she said.
That group now has over 3,100 members.
“There’s just so many people that need this and that are really, really struggling still,” said Lisa O’Brien.