Researchers are studying the potential long-term costs of COVID-19 as many survivors report ongoing debilitating complications months after contracting the disease. One faculty member at the City University of New York estimated U.S. post-hospitalization costs in a single year would be at least $50 billion if 20% of the population contracted the virus. That figure does not include the cost of treating longer-term health problems stemming from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its British counterpart are leading national studies to ascertain COVID-19’s long-term impacts, and an international panel is working on setting standards for the care of recovered COVID-19 patients. The panel may present its recommendations to the World Health Organization later this month. (Reuters story, 8/3/20)
