While scientists and doctors focus on how to prevent and treat COVID-19, another mystery is starting to attract attention: What are the long term effects of this illness?
Anecdotal reports suggest symptoms may persist even among people recovering from mild cases of the virus.
Fatigue, “brain fog,” and heart problems could last “anywhere from weeks to months and possibly longer,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of President Trump’s coronavirus task force, told 60 Minutes this month.
To help individuals deal with these issues, Atlantic Health, the corporate parent of Morristown Medical Center, has established the Atlantic COVID Recovery Center.
“The idea is to take these patients who are feeling quite vulnerable and uncertain and take the worry away from them, and put the burden of care coordination on us at Atlantic so that they can get what they need when they need it,” Dr. Steven Sheris, a senior vice president for Atlantic Health, said Tuesday in an online interview.
Launched this month, the recovery center includes pulmonologists, cardiologists, neurologists, behavior health specialists, physical therapists and primary care physicians.
So far, about 20 patients per week have been seeking treatment, Sheris said. The experience is invaluable for the doctors as well as the patients, he said.
As specialists see more post-COVID patients, “they can…reassure the patients and say, ‘I’ve seen this before. And we did this for the patient and they got better. And you’ll probably get better, too.’ Giving patients hope, and an outlet for their concerns, is half of the battle.”
The coronavirus learning curve has been steep. When the pandemic began, said Sheris, a cardiologist, “we knew very little to nothing about managing patients. And by day 90, we knew quite a bit about what was working and what didn’t work.”
Partially because of this, he said, COVID-19 mortality rates at Atlantic’s hospitals fell by about two-thirds from March to June.
By summer, New Jersey had flattened the curve. But now, as colder weather is driving people inside, numbers across the northern part of the state are rising again– 26 new cases were reported in Morristown on Monday. Many parts of the nation are seeing similar spikes.
Sheris anticipates “rolling waves” of infections, rather than a surge like the one that pushed hospitals to their limits in the spring.
Until a vaccine is widely available–and even beyond–it’s crucial for people to keep up their guard, Sheris said.
“Avoid what we’re all experiencing, which is ‘pandemic fatigue’ and ‘compliance fatigue,'” he advised.
“As boring as it is, repetitive as it is, the governor says it, we say it here: It’s masking, distancing, avoiding indoor gatherings, controlling your environment, wash your hands. The message is the same as it was on March 15. We will get through this.”
The recovery center has offices in Cedar Knolls and Summit. Some conditions may be treated via online sessions. Atlantic Health also hosts COVID support groups for clinicians, and for patients treated in the intensive care unit. Call 908-522-3361 for more details.
