Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) or Long COVID is a characterized by the presence of ongoing,
relapsing or occurrence of new symptoms which persist for 30 days or more after acute infection.
There is an urgent need to characterize the burden of long COVID; understand the healthcare needs
of people living with long COVID; and inform optimal models to deliver care, assess and address
disparities, and assess health outcomes. However, addressing these knowledge gaps is hampered
by the lack of standard definitions and methods to accurately identify people living with long COVID
in population-based administrative health data.
This project will address these gaps by developing a surveillance system to track burden of PCC,
identify factors contributing to development of long COVID, identify healthcare gaps, and long-term
outcomes related to COVID-19. We will conduct survey to learn about experience of people who had
COVID-19. In addition, we will analyze healthcare administrative data to answer critical questions to
inform optimal care for long COVID.
This initiative, while centered in British Columbia, will contribute to development and application of
algorithm across Canada. The grant will play a critical role in advancing research on long COVID,
informing care strategies, and contributing to public health eorts in managing post-COVID-19
health challenges.
The project is supported through funding from The Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Public
Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Enhanced Surveillance for Chronic Disease Program (ESCDP). This
project is being led by Dr. Naveed Janjua. Dr. Janjua is an epidemiologist, the Executive Director of
Data and Analytic Services at the BC Centre for Disease Control, and a Clinical Professor at the
School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia.
Progress Report – May 2025
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The baseline and follow-up versions of the long COVID-19 survey have been designed and launched.
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Recruitment materials have been translated to Mandarin and Punjabi.
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Recruitment was done through the 2024 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Health Fair held in Richmond and distribution of flyers at grocery stores, coffee shops, and malls in November 2024.
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The first iteration of the PCC algorithm (parsimonious model) is completed.
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Application of the PCC algorithm has been approved in Ontario and further work is in progress. External validation has been discussed with partners.
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The characterization of diabetes risk over time, including factors such as the severity of acute COVID-19 infection has been completed.
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Collaborated with patient partners and incorporated their feedback in the Long COVID survey. They also hosted a dinner with people living with Post-COVID conditions to get their input on the algorithm, survey, and other projects.
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Submitted 2 manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals for the work done on post-acute COVID-19 infection health outcomes.
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Delivered 5 presentations at the 2nd Canadian Symposium on Long COVID.
- Patient Engagement: Collaborated with patient partners (e.g., Lorraine Graves, Susie Goulding) to refine the Long COVID survey and hosted a community dinner for feedback.
- Community Outreach: Partnered with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to host a booth at a health fair, engaging with immigrant communities.
- Cross-Provincial and International Alignment:
- Algorithm development applicable to datasets in Manitoba and Ontario.
- Survey adapted from ISARIC COVID-19 long-term follow-up survey, enabling comparison with international and Alberta-based studies.
- Presented findings at national symposiums to inform healthcare planning and policy.
- Supported the development of clinical guidelines for long-term monitoring of post-COVID health outcomes.
- Engaged postdoctoral fellows, biostatisticians, research scientists, coordinators, and assistants.
- Used funding for equipment and social media recruitment ads to support BC-based research activities.