New Virtua Program Helps Coronavirus 'Long Haulers' With Recovery

A new program from Virtua Health is helping coronavirus “long haulers” tackle the various health symptoms they experience long after they have defeated the disease, the health system announced.

“Care After COVID” is an evaluation, recovery, and care coordination program for people experiencing lingering symptoms of the coronavirus. It also addresses the emotional aspects of coronavirus recovery.

“I cared for COVID-19 patients in spring 2020 who are still coping with compromised health in the spring of 2021,” Virtua Health Medical Director Dr. Eric Sztejman said. “As we continue to learn more about this virus, we must continue to educate our community and connect them with services aimed to improve their quality of life.”

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About 10 percent of coronavirus patients experience persistent, possibly permanent, complications from the disease. They have been labelled “long-haulers.”

One such “long-hauler” is Richard Klein of Voorhees, a fit, healthy lifelong runner who was admitted to Virtua Voorhees Hospital with pneumonia and extremely low oxygen levels.

COVID-19 had exacerbated his asthma and he spent nine days in the hospital on high-flow oxygen and intravenous steroids. The pneumonia returned one month later, but his physicians were able to treat him as an outpatient. Klein is now enrolled in “Care After COVID.”

“I am just now starting to feel better,” said Klein, who still suffers from shortness of breath. “In addition to all of the physical effects of the virus, I am also dealing with the emotional aspects of the disease. I have struggled with severe anxiety over the length of my illness and the uncertainty about regaining my good health going forward.”

The program tailors a patient’s treatment plan based on their set of symptoms. This makes it easier to connect patients with the care they need, especially when they may require multiple specialists, according to Virtua officials.

Whereas Klein experiences shortness of breath, other patients report body aches, coughing, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, or “brain fog” (heightened forgetfulness or confusion), officials said.

“It’s both fascinating and frustrating how wide-ranging people’s experiences with COVID-19 can be. No two patients are exactly alike,” Virtua Dr. Angela Skrzynski said. “That’s why Care After COVID incorporates cardiologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, and other clinical experts – enabling us to create care plans that are specific to the individual.”

To help with the emotional support aspect of the program, Virtua’s team of social workers created a virtual support group that meets regularly by Zoom. A companion Facebook group keeps the conversation going in between support group sessions.

“We want to foster meaningful conversations and show our patients that they are not alone,” said Gina Pimentel, a social worker with Virtua Health. “Our aim is to help people and restore hope, so we can’t limit our focus to just physical health.”

“Care After COVID” is available to individuals in South Jersey and beyond who have experienced health complications 30 days or more following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Participation is not limited to existing or past Virtua Health patients.

Those interested in learning more can visit virtua.org/services/care-after-covid or call 856-325-3200 to speak with a health navigator.