A major new COVID-19 study is being launched in Scotland to understand the long-term health of people who have had COVID-19.

The new COVID in Scotland Study (CISS) is led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with Public Health Scotland and NHS Scotland, with the support of the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office. It will seek to better understand how many people have had long term problems after COVID in Scotland, using an app that will enable people to explain how COVID-19 is still affecting their lives.

All Scottish adults who have had a positive COVID-19 test according to NHS health data records, as well as a sample of people who tested negative, will be sent a text message inviting them to take part in the study. If they agree, they will be asked to use the specially designed app to answer questions about their health before and after COVID-19, and whether it has had any lasting effects on their lives.

The study aims to find out about people’s experiences of “Long Covid”, as the long-term effects of COVID-19 are still relatively unknown. Research thus far has indicated that common symptoms include breathlessness and fatigue, and it is possible that some people may recover initially but have symptoms recur later.

Following the initial completion of questions via the app, participants will be asked the same questions again 12, 18 and 24 months after their initial positive test. Some participants will be asked to take part in interviews to discuss in detail the impact of COVID-19 on their health and life.

You can find out more about the CISS on the dedicated website (this link will take you away from our website).

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