HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2026-011-Long COVID Awareness Month ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
LONG COVID AWARENESS MONTH - MARCH 2O26
Whereas , Long COVID is a systemic and often debilitating and disabling long -term
outcome of an acute COVID - 19 infection ; and
Whereas , Long COVID has the potential to worsen pre -existing health conditions and can
even cause death months to years after an acute COVID - 19 infection ; and
Whereas , there are more than 200 documented Long COVID symptoms , which can vary
from person to person and can include fatigue , cognitive impairment , muscle or joint pain ,
shortness of breath , heart palpitations , sleep difficulties , mood changes , and damage to
organ systems and tissue ; and
Whereas , Long COVID can trigger other infection -associated chronic conditions such as
postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other forms of dysautonomia , mast cell
activation syndrome , fibromyalgia , myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome ,
and many others ; and
Whereas , there is no single diagnostic test or protocol to confirm a Long COVID
diagnosis ; and
Whereas , many providers are unprepared to identify , diagnose , or treat Long COVID due
to a lack of education and information , and some providers refrain from making a Long
COVID diagnosis at all ; and
Whereas , millions of U . S . adults and children have been affected by Long COVID
according to the Centers for Disease Control , and Long COVID disproportionately affects
racial and ethnic minorities , women , the elderly , people with disabilities , and those with
lower incomes ; and
Whereas , there are no approved cures for Long COVID , and most of the treatments
involve addressing individual symptoms using established therapies ; and
Whereas , investing in Long COVID research and promoting the development of treatment
and diagnostic tools remain priorities to improve the quality of life for those impacted by
Long COVID ;
NOW THEREFORE , we , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , do hereby
proclaim March 2026 as Long COVID Awareness Month and retroactively designate
March 15 , 2026 , as " Long COVID Awareness Day" in Orange County , recognizing
patients and their families and caregivers who are affected by Long COVID .
�j S�,r$E � angry f
This the 17th day of March , 2026 . /
G2,6'12�
an Hamilton , Chair 17 52
Orange County Board of Commi si n