BACKGROUND: As the
coronavirus disease 2019 MESHD (
COVID-19 MESHD) pandemic continues and millions remain vulnerable to infection with severe acute
respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 MESHD (SARS-CoV-2), attention has turned to characterizing post-acute sequelae of
SARS-CoV-2 infection MESHD (PASC). METHODS: From April 21 to December 31, 2020, we assembled a cohort of consecutive volunteers who a) had documented history of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positivity; b) were [≥] 2 weeks past onset of
COVID-19 MESHD symptoms or, if asymptomatic, first test for SARS-CoV-2; and c) were able to travel to our site in San Francisco. Participants learned about the study by being identified on medical center-based registries and being notified or by responding to advertisements. At 4-month intervals, we asked participants about physical symptoms that were new or worse compared to the period prior to
COVID-19 MESHD, mental health symptoms and quality of life. We described 4 time periods: 1) acute illness (0-3 weeks), 2) early recovery (3-10 weeks), 3) late recovery 1 (12-20 weeks), and 4) late recovery 2 (28-36 weeks). Blood and oral specimens were collected at each visit. RESULTS: We have, to date, enrolled 179 adults. During acute
SARS-CoV-2 infection MESHD, 10 had been asymptomatic, 125 symptomatic but not hospitalized, and 44 symptomatic and hospitalized. In the acute phase, the most common symptoms were
fatigue MESHD,
fever MESHD,
myalgia MESHD,
cough MESHD and
anosmia/dysgeusia MESHD. During the post-acute phase,
fatigue MESHD,
shortness of breath MESHD, concentration problems,
headaches MESHD, trouble sleeping and
anosmia/dysgeusia MESHD were the most commonly reported symptoms, but a variety of others were endorsed by at least some participants. Some experienced symptoms of
depression MESHD,
anxiety MESHD, and post-
traumatic stress MESHD, as well as difficulties with ambulation and performance of usual activities. The median visual analogue scale value rating of general health was lower at 4 and 8 months (80, interquartile range [IQR]: 70-90; and 80, IQR 75-90) compared to prior to
COVID-19 MESHD (85; IQR 75-90). Biospecimens were collected at nearly 600 participant-visits. CONCLUSION: Among a cohort of participants enrolled in the post-acute phase of
SARS-CoV-2 infection MESHD, we found many with persistent physical symptoms through 8 months following onset of
COVID-19 MESHD with an impact on self-rated overall health. The presence of participants with and without symptoms and ample biological specimens will facilitate study of PASC pathogenesis. Similar evaluations in a population-representative sample will be needed to estimate the population-level prevalence of PASC.