“This is a crisis… I think we’re very under-estimating this.” So says Dr. Katharine Clouser, as she sounds an alarm about rising cases of “long COVID” in New Jersey. The Hackensack Meridian pediatrician says a growing group of so-called “long haulers,” including children, keep battling symptoms like fatigue and brain fog months after their initial infection. Research shows it hits 10-20% of kids who got COVID-19, she says, usually about three months after their infection — even for those who were initially asymptomatic. And as the time lag between infection and onset of long COVID-19 can be months, Clouser says symptoms can vary and it’s tougher to diagnose.
“Long COVID” is a growing NJ crisis, cases climbing among kids and adults
Research shows it hits 10-20% of kids who got COVID-19
Senior Correspondent
Senior Correspondent Brenda Flanagan joined NJ Spotlight News in 2013, and focuses on COVID-19, transportation, environmental and immigration issues. The Emmy-award-winning reporter has also worked as an investigative/political correspondent for news departments at WWOR,WNYW and NJN.