COVID-19 is no longer in the top 10 reasons why Coloradans die, according to the state’s annual death data, but the virus still casts a shadow over the numbers.
Long COVID is starting to be listed as a “significant contributing factor” in the deaths of some Coloradans, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Since January 2023, there have been 52 deaths among Colorado residents in which long COVID was recorded as playing a role.
“It doesn’t surprise me. It’s definitely something that we should pay attention to because long COVID exists,” said Dr. Dana Dabelea, an epidemiology professor at Colorado’s School of Public Health, where she’s associate dean for research.