
Over 40% of Minnesota COVID-19 survivors interviewed reported having one or more symptoms lasting at least 3 months, many still had symptoms at 6 months or longer, 20% had a severe persistent symptom, and two-thirds said they had problems performing daily activities such as housework or going to work or school, according to a 2023 Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) phone survey.
"This suggests that an estimated 365,000 adults in Minnesota could have experienced symptoms of long COVID," MDH wrote.
In total, 1,270 adults completed the interview. "Due to low participation and other survey limitations, this group may not represent all Minnesotans experiencing lasting symptoms after a COVID-19 infection," the authors cautioned. "Nonetheless, their input can help the public, health care providers, and public health professionals understand long COVID symptoms and how they can impact a person’s daily activities and health care experiences."
Vaccination appears protective
The most commonly reported long-COVID symptoms were tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and cough. Other symptoms were muscle pain, sleep problems, headaches, joint pain, and loss of taste or smell.
Nearly half of those who experienced a long-lasting symptom said they had visited a health care provider about a new health issue after their COVID-19 infection, however, only 9% were told by their provider that they may have long COVID.
Adults who were vaccinated at the time of their first COVID-19 infection were less likely to report lingering symptoms than unvaccinated respondents. Similar to national study findings, participants who completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and at least one booster dose had a 30% lower risk of long-COVID symptoms than their unvaccinated peers.
"Nearly half of those who experienced a long-lasting symptom said they had visited a health care provider about a new health issue after their COVID-19 infection, however, only 9% were told by their provider that they may have long COVID," the report said.
MDH said it is conducting a statewide study with 12 healthcare systems that serve over 90% of the state's population to recognize and describe long-COVID with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment, particularly among underserved patient groups.