SACKVILLE, NB — A Mount Allison University biology professor is hoping to hear from individuals who contracted COVID-19 to learn more about their experiences during and post-illness.

“We are learning more about this virus, and its variants, every day,” says Lloyd. “Considering how many people have already been affected, and how many more will become infected as the pandemic continues, learning more about the long-term effects of COVID-19 is essential in measuring its full impact on people’s health globally.”

Dr. Vett Lloyd’s project, Long-term complication of COVID-19, began this fall. Lloyd and her research partners, have opened up an online survey to hear directly from individuals who have or had COVID-19, either confirmed or suspected, to learn about their experience and recovery process. Unaffected people at risk of infection are also welcome to participate.

The long-term study will also serve as a baseline to collect data from individuals who work in areas with higher risks of exposure, including healthcare workers, educators, and community frontline workers such as grocery store employees.

In addition to her research partners, Lloyd has also engaged several Mount Allison students as part of the research team. Honours biology student Keena Gagnon helped with the programming to launch the online survey while honours biology student Keeley Barnable helped develop the survey structure and navigate the approval processes this past summer. Both continue to work in Lloyd’s research program in addition to their studies.

The survey is open to all individuals who have experienced COVID-19, with an emphasis on residents in New Brunswick and Ontario. In only a few weeks, Lloyd’s team has already had more than 200 respondents.

“We’re pleased with the response we’ve received so far. What I really like about this study is the grassroots nature of it — we’re asking people with the disease to report on their experience directly. That’s an important perspective as we learn more about the long-term implications of COVID-19,” says Lloyd.

Individuals can access the survey at https://limesurvey.mta.ca/index.php/876233?newtest=Y&lang=en. All content for the study has been reviewed and approved by Mount Allison University’s Research Ethics Board. Researchers anticipate being able to report on their initial findings within a year.

Lloyd’s study is funded in part by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) in partnership with the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).