ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Washington University's Long COVID-19 Clinic is getting a big grant to expand its reach to communities that need it the most.
Thanks to a federal grant that worth $4.5 million, Washington University's Long COVID-19 Clinic is expanding its reach to more vulnerable metro and rural communities.
Washington University's Dr. Abby Cheng is the lead principal investigator for this five-year grant. She says the grant allows the clinic to boost access to the medically underserved.
"Many underserve area were more likely to be hit with COVID infection due to the nature of their housing situation, and the jobs that they did," said Dr. Cheng. "They just weren't able to quarantine in ways that were recommended during the height of the pandemic. Those people were more likely to develop long COVID infection and those with preexisting medical conditions were also more likely."
Dr. Cheng says despite what some skeptics say, long COVID is very much real -- with symptoms including breathing issues, brain fog and fatigue.
Dr. Cheng also says the big picture goal is to help serve more patients and improve the care experience.
To do this, the clinic will now partner with the St. Louis Integrated Health Network, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission and four St. Louis Federal Qualified Health Centers.