Endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants Is Changing Long COVID

Post-acute sequelae from SARS-CoV-2, or Long COVID, have evolved as SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into the Omicron subvariants, which have been the predominant and endemic circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 since early 2022. Omicron is distinct from previous subvariants, with genetic mutations and biological characteristics that present and spread the virus differently, manifesting with upper rather than lower respiratory tract symptomology. Omicron COVID-19 expresses substantially decreased morbidity and mortality, but with higher transmissibility, resulting in Omicron’s endemicity. Unsurprisingly, Long COVID associated with Omicron recovery also presents differently, with dramatically reduced incidence and severity. These factors in turn have paralleled the closing of Long COVID care clinics, which has implications for Long COVID research.