Long COVID isn't just a relic of the early pandemic — it's still taking a real toll on the people keeping hospitals running. A new multicenter cohort study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine tracked nearly 1,500 healthcare workers (HCWs) across 17 states from August 2022 to May 2024, finding that 11.3% reported at least one persistent moderate-to-severe symptom at both three and six months post-infection. Fatigue was the most common complaint, followed by joint pain, congestion, headache, sleep difficulties, and anxiety.

The burden wasn't evenly distributed. Older workers, women, those with multiple underlying health conditions, and those with prior COVID infections were all significantly more likely to experience lingering symptoms. Notably, 16% of nonclinical workers reported persistent symptoms — about six percentage points above the overall cohort — raising questions about workplace exposure and access to protective equipment.

By the Numbers:

• 11.3% of HCWs reported persistent long COVID symptoms at both 3 and 6 months
• Women had 3x the odds of persistent symptoms vs. men (aOR = 3.05)
• Workers aged 65+ had 3.5x the odds vs. those aged 18–29 (aOR = 3.52)
• Workers with ≥2 underlying conditions had 2.5x greater odds (aOR = 2.49)
• 16% of nonclinical workers reported lingering symptoms

Why it matters: With healthcare systems already stretched thin by burnout and staffing shortages, long COVID represents a compounding threat to workforce sustainability — potentially forcing schedule changes, reduced hours, or role modifications for a significant share of HCWs.