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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 17, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-c <br /> SUBJECT: Long COVID Awareness Month Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Laura Jensen, 919-245-2130 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Long COVID Awareness <br /> Month and retroactively designate March 15, 2026, as "Long COVID Awareness Day" in Orange <br /> County. <br /> BACKGROUND: Long COVID is a systemic and often debilitating and disabling long-term <br /> outcome of an acute COVID - 19 infection and has the potential to worsen pre-existing health <br /> conditions and can even cause death months to years after an acute COVID - 19 infection. Long <br /> COVID also disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities, women, the elderly, people <br /> with disabilities, and those with lower incomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, <br /> millions of U.S. adults and children have been affected by Long COVID. <br /> Many health care providers are unprepared to identify, diagnose, or treat Long COVID due to a <br /> lack of education and information, and some providers refrain from making a Long COVID <br /> diagnosis at all. There are no approved cures for Long COVID, and most of the treatments involve <br /> addressing individual symptoms using established therapies. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of this <br /> proclamation. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • VISION STATEMENT: We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together <br /> to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all residents. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the <br /> Chair to sign the proclamation. <br />