How COVID-19 has changed the medical world 4 years later – Local News 8 investigates

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - March 11 marks the infamous anniversary of when the outbreak of COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic according to the world health organization. And the search continues for answers about the virus.

Of concern for Idahoans, long term effects of Long-Covid which can affect any part of the body; including the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and brain.

"Long COVID affects probably 5 to 10% of all patients who develop COVID," Internal Medicine specialist Dr. Kenneth Krell said. "Whether it's severe or mild, it's more likely to develop if you have severe disease. But given the increase in cases nationally, even though the severity of disease is decreasing, up to 55,000 people a day are still developing long COVID in the United States and it can be devastating."

Dr. Krell oversees the Long Covid research clinic at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He said while research into the virus is ongoing, there is still no FDA treatment for the long term effects of the virus.

"Most patients can function better, can feel better," Krell said. "But we're no means at the point in time when we can effectively treat all of the symptoms of long COVID."

But world and personal health wasn’t the only victim of the pandemic. The healthcare industry in Idaho and the nation took a hit as well.

Doctors say one of the most apparent effects is the distrust of the healthcare system.

According to the CDC, only about 40% adults in the U.S. received an updated COVID-19 booster in the last year.

Doctor Krell says the shortage of healthcare workers combined with low COVID-19 vaccination rates is a recipe for disaster.

"This strain on the health care system continues. It is the perfect storm of having a whole population at risk for continuing chronic disease at a time when we've lost so many health care workers," Krell said.