A first clinic to treat long-term COVID-19 in Montreal

The first Montreal clinic dedicated to the treatment of long-term COVID-19 syndrome and chronic Lyme disease opens its doors today at the Jewish General Hospital, in the Côte-des-Neiges district.

“Research and knowledge about the treatment [de la COVID-19 longue], are emerging and evolving rapidly. By opening this referral centre, our goal is to provide patients with state-of-the-art care while enhancing our understanding of the disease, » notes a spokesperson for the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, by press release.

The multidisciplinary clinic brings together nurses, medical specialists and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and social workers, who offer medical and rehabilitation services in person and virtually. This is a three-year pilot project.

Although most people infected with COVID-19 recover after a few weeks, some, even those who have had mild illness, may have persistent symptoms for a long time. These symptoms can be disabling, making it difficult to perform daily activities or return to work or school.

Dr. Karl Weiss, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Jewish General Hospital

Who is eligible?

The specialist clinic only treats patients aged 18 or over. An appointment is required, as is a referral from a physician or specialist nurse practitioner.

To be eligible for treatment for long-term COVID-19, they must have been diagnosed with COVID-19, by a screening PCR test or by a health care professional, and present new symptoms that were not present before. infection and have persisted for at least 12 weeks.

Similarly, to access treatment for chronic Lyme disease, patients will need to have symptoms that persist after the initial treatment for this infection has ended.