By Lauren Egan - NBC News
President Joe Biden announced Monday that severe COVID-19 cases with long-term effects could qualify as a disability, allowing those with the disease to receive federal benefits and resources.
At an event at the White House to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Biden said that persistent COVID symptoms, such as fatigue or mental confusion, "can sometimes escalate to the level of a disability."
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"We are joining agencies to ensure that Americans with prolonged COVID who have a disability have access to rights and resources owed to them under disability law, including accommodations and services in the workplace and school. , and our health care system so that they can live their lives with dignity, "said Biden.
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The Departments of Health, Justice, Education and Labor released guidelines to help people experiencing the long-term effects of COVID seek their federal benefits.
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However, the guide makes clear that so-called prolonged COVID-19 does not automatically qualify as a disability.
The Department of Health guidance indicates that "an individualized evaluation is necessary to determine whether a person's prolonged COVID condition or any of its symptoms substantially limits a major life activity."
The guide says that people with prolonged COVID-19 may qualify for "reasonable accommodations" at work or schools, as well as community resources that help with health care and housing.
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While most people who have been infected with COVID-19 recover within a few weeks, some suffer from persistent symptoms.
The long-term effects are very varied and include problems such as joint pain, fever, fatigue, double vision and even hair loss.
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There are few medical treatments for these patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that they are working to better understand the recovery phase of the disease.