Post–COVID Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18–64 and ≥65 Years — United States, March 2020–November 2021

The investigation of a sizable EHR-based database of American adults revealed that incident conditions that might be related to prior COVID-19 were considerably more common in COVID-19 survivors than in control patients. One in five COVID-19 survivors between the ages of 18 and 64 and one in four survivors over the age of 65 reported having at least one incident condition that could have been caused by a previous COVID-19. The highest RRs were for acute pulmonary embolism and respiratory symptoms, regardless of age group. These results are in line with findings from numerous sizable studies that showed 20% to 30% of patients experience post-COVID incident symptoms, and some patients need extended follow-up therapy beyond the initial infection. COVID-19 severity and illness duration may have an impact on a patient's requirement for medical care and financial stability. Incident symptoms following infection may also limit a patient's capacity to participate in the workforce and may have financial ramifications for survivors and their dependents, especially in people between the ages of 18 and 64. Additionally, in areas where COVID-19 case surges are significant, the need for care following acute illness may put a strain on local health resources. The number of survivors who have post-COVID conditions is predicted to rise as the total number of people who have ever been infected with SARS-CoV-2 rises. Therefore, lowering the prevalence and effects of post-COVID conditions, especially among adults over 65 years old, requires the deployment of COVID-19 prevention initiatives as well as routine assessment for post-COVID conditions among people who survive COVID-19. These findings can improve post-acute care and treatment of patients after sickness and raise awareness of post-COVID disorders. Understanding the pathophysiologic pathways linked to higher risk for post-COVID disorders, including by age and ailment type, calls for more research.