Oklahoma has the highest rate of long COVID in the nation, study shows

Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman
·2 min read
Long-term care facility resident Frances Watland receives the first COVID-19 vaccination for Oklahoma nursing home residents and staff on Dec. 22, 2020.

A new study found that Oklahoma has the highest rate of people who suffer from long COVID after they've contracted COVID-19.

In Oklahoma, 34% of adults who had COVID-19 have experienced long COVID. The national rate of Americans who experienced long COVID is 24.4%, according to the study from Help Advisor.

More: How do I know have COVID-19? Signs, symptoms to watch for as variants emerge

What is long COVID?

Long COVID, or post COVID-19, is defined by the World Health Organization as the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. These symptoms last for at least two months with no other explanation.

According to the study, long COVID symptoms include:

  • Fatigue

  • Fever

  • “Brain fog”

  • Shortness of breath

  • Cough

  • Chest pain

  • Heart palpitations

  • Headaches and dizziness

  • Changes in smell or taste

  • Stomach pain and diarrhea

  • Joint and muscle pain

What causes long COVID?

According to the study, it's not yet known what causes long COVID, but those who could be at an increased risk include people who've not received the COVID-19 vaccine, those who had underlying conditions and those who've experienced a more severe case of COVID-19.

In Oklahoma, 61% of people have received the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine, ranking 36th nationally. The state is ranked 39th nationally for people who've received the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, at 12%.

Which states have the highest rates of long COVID?

With Oklahoma at the top, here are the states with the highest rates of long COVID in adults:

  • Oklahoma: 34.1%

  • Montana: 33.8%

  • Alabama: 31.7%

  • Arkansas: 30.8%

  • North Dakota: 30.6%

  • Ohio: 30%

  • Wyoming: 29.7%

  • South Dakota: 29.5%

  • West Virginia: 29.4%

  • Indiana: 28.7%

How is long COVID affecting people's lives?

The study found that nearly one in three people who suffered from long COVID said their symptoms reduced their ability to carry out daily activities. In Oklahoma, 29.5% of people who suffered from long COVID agreed with this.

Another study shows long COVID could be responsible for keeping as many as four million people out of work.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma has the highest rate of long COVID, study shows