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