CHI Health, Creighton set up phone line to study long COVID

CHI Health and Creighton University are working together to learn more about long COVID symptoms.

Nebraskans who have experienced symptoms for at least a month after having COVID are encouraged to call in to a new phone line that the two organizations have set up.

Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan, the CHI Health division director of infectious disease and an assistant dean at Creighton, said this project offers a coordinated way to understand more about long COVID.

“This way, we could have the patients go through the telemedicine clinic, we could collect the data, and then kind of understand what symptoms are they suffering for? How long? How do we help them?” she said. “So I think this will give us a better idea.”

After the phone call, patients will have a scheduled telehealth visit with a primary care doctor, pulmonologist, or infectious disease doctor. The initial phone call is free. Additional appointments are at a cost.

Dr. Micheal Schooff, CHI Health primary care medical director, said in addition to research, the hotline helps connect doctors with patients who need further care.

“There's this feeling and we hear anecdotally, ‘I'm still having symptoms and nobody can figure it out,’ or ‘I haven't told anybody about it, I'm just putting up with it.’ There's that sense out there,” Schooff said. “We want to encourage people, if you think you have something going on, reach out, get some help, get your health taken care of. We're happy to help coordinate that for you.”

Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, heart issues, headaches and affected taste or smell.

Those who think they may be affected by long COVID can call the helpline at (402) 818-2002.