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NEWSLETTER N°7 / May 2026

Welcome to the
7th Long COVID Newsletter!

We are pleased to share the 7th and final edition of the Long COVID EU project newsletter. As our journey comes to a close, this special issue highlights key insights, achievements, and research outcomes generated over the past four years.
The Long COVID project is a 4-year research project funded by the EU and coordinated by the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). Since June 1, 2022, the consortium has been working together to understand the mechanisms of host-virus response underlying the long-term symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Long COVID Project Key Results
Long COVID Project Infographics
In the project we have generated new knowledge about the clinical understanding and deep phenotyping of Long COVID by integrating data from both clinical and biomechanistic studies. Combining these findings, the knowledge has translated into clear and accessible infographics:
Long COVID Project Key Conclusions
In line with all our results, the consortium draw the following conclusions after 4-year of research:
  1. People improve and recover: The studies show that many patients improve and recover. This does not yet apply to everyone, but the findings directly challenge the pessimistic narratives often found in public debate and on social media.
  2. Many return to daily life: Many people are able to return to work and resume everyday activities. Recovery is often linked to flexible work arrangements, professional support, and targeted rehabilitation.
  3. No evidence of “microclots” or gut disorders: Despite extensive research, the scientists found no evidence that the symptoms are caused by abnormal blood coagulation, often referred to as the “microclot theory”; or by specific changes in gut bacteria, sometimes described as “dysbiosis”. While the immune system may be activated, the findings do not point to a distinct autoimmune disorder.
  4. A highly individual condition: Post COVID-19 condition presents differently from one person to another. Attempts to identify a reliable blood marker were unsuccessful, and there is currently no test that can clearly distinguish people with post COVID-19 condition from those who have fully recovered.
  5. No evidence of persistent viral infection: The researchers looked for the virus (SARS-CoV-2) in body tissues and in the nervous system. They found no evidence supporting ongoing viral spread in the brain or persistent infection.
  6. Minor role for genetics: Genes influence vulnerability to many conditions. They may contribute a little to some people being more susceptible to post-infective symptoms. However, they do not predict who will develop a post-COVID-19 condition or how the condition will present.
  7. The findings support a broader understanding of care: The findings correspond with sensible, holistic approaches to rehabilitation. The researchers suggest that both patients and clinicians should take into account:
  • How the body’s biological systems respond to infection through built-in protective signalling
  • How the brain interprets and responds to these signals, including the possibility that the alarm system may become overly sensitive
  • How expectations, interpretations, and social context can influence symptom persistence and recovery

Long COVID Final Project event in Paris:
Showcasing results and fostering dialogue
On the 23rd of April 2026, the Long COVID consortium marked a major milestone by hosting its final event at Institut Imagine in Paris, France, organised in collaboration with the OSLO Chronic Fatigue Network. The hybrid event brought together researchers, clinicians, patients, journalists and other stakeholders from across Europe and beyond to discuss the latest developments in Long COVID research and present the project’s key findings and conclusions.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Brigitte Ranque and Cédric Lemogne (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris), alongside representatives of the OSLO Network.
The first part of the event, mainly consisting of the scientific presentations, was implemented in a webinar format to enable broad international participation both onsite and online. The scientific programme included presentations on SARS-CoV-2 and neurological mechanisms, rehabilitation approaches and epidemiological and clinical insights from the project.
Following a networking break, the programme continued with sessions on mind-body reprogramming therapy and emerging clinical evidence. A multidisciplinary panel discussion, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and recovered patients, provided valuable perspectives on ongoing challenges and future directions in Long COVID care and research.
The event concluded with a press conference attended by several French and international journalists, leading to additional media coverage of the Long COVID project and its scientific results. Overall, the event reinforced the need for ongoing dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration to further advance Long COVID research and patient care.
The consortium would like to sincerely thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and active participation throughout the event.

Peer-reviewed scientific publications

  1. Liira, H.; et al. Somatic symptom burden and distress in post COVID-19 and persistent physical symptoms: Evidence from combined SSD-12 and PHQ-15 factor analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2026.112686
  2. Tuomaala J.; et al. Association between post‑COVID‑19 neuropsychiatric symptoms and persistent glial activation in the limbic system: a TSPO PET study. J Neurol. 2026. doi: 10.1007/s00415-026-13842-w
  3. Rohner, S.; et al. Protocol of the digital long COVID study: A single-center, registry-based, feasibility and clinical evaluation study to investigate a 12-week digital intervention program for people affected by post-COVID-19 condition. PLOSE One. 2026. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340385 J
  4. Kettunen P.; et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-derived neurons is cathepsin-dependent and causes differential accumulation of HIF1ɑ and phosphorylated tau. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2025.102726
  5. Rohner, S.; et al. Basel Long COVID Cohort Study (BALCoS): protocol of a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2025. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093981
  6. Sulg, A.; et al. Facilitators and barriers for return to work among patients with post COVID-19 condition: a qualitative interview study. Scan J Prim Health Care. 2025. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2025.2525434
  7. Posharina, T.; et al. Serum antineuronal antibodies in patients with post-COVID-19 condition - association to intensive care. Brain Behav Immun. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.05.026
  8. Lammi, V.; et al. Genome-wide association study of long COVID. Nat. Genet. 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41588-025-02100-w
  9. Karisola, P.; et al. Patients with post-COVID-19 condition show minor blood transcriptomic changes, with altered erythrocyte gene expression in a male subgroup. Front Immunol. 2025. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1500997
  10. Vangelova-Korpinen, V.; et al. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based online therapy or internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy compared with treatment as usual among patients with persistent somatic symptoms: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. PloS One. 2025. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316169
  11. Ojha, R.; et al. Dynamin independent endocytosis is an alternative cell entry mechanism for multiple animal viruses. PloS Pathog. 2024. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012690
  12. Stålnacke, S.; et al. Functioning of post-COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study at the outpatient clinic for long-term effects. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2024. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2410986
  13. Tatham, L.; et al. Ronapreve (REGN-CoV; casirivimab and imdevimab) reduces the viral burden and alters the pulmonary response to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in K18-hACE2 mice using an experimental design reflective of a treatment use case. Microbiol Spectr. 2024. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03916-23
  14. Liira, H.; et al. Prognosis of patients with post-Covid-19 condition: Prospective cohort cluster analysis at one year. J Psychosom Res. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111808
  15. Kantele, A.; et al. Long COVID-associated symptoms prevalent in both SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative individuals: A prospective follow-up study. New Microbes New Infect. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101209
  16. Virrantaus, H.; et al. Prognosis of patients with long COVID symptoms: a protocol for a longitudinal cohort study at a primary care referred outpatient clinic in Helsinki, Finland. BMJ Open. 2023. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072935
  17. De Neck, S.; et al. The Stereotypic Response of the Pulmonary Vasculature to Respiratory Viral Infections: Findings in Mouse Models of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and Gammaherpesvirus Infections. Viruses. 2023. doi: 10.3390/v15081637
  18. Kettunen, P.; et al. SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Human Neurons Is TMPRSS2 Independent, Requires Endosomal Cell Entry, and Can Be Blocked by Inhibitors of Host Phosphoinositol-5 Kinase. Journal of Virology. 2023. doi: 10.1128/jvi.00144-23
These publications are also available in the Long COVID Community on Zenodo, a multi-disciplinary open repository maintained by CERN. Furthermore, they can be found on the Long COVID website as well.

The Long COVID Project is coming to an end
THANK YOU
As the Long COVID project approaches its conclusion in May 2026, the consortium would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this journey over the past four years. Through strong interdisciplinary collaboration across Europe, the project has generated valuable scientific insights into Long COVID, supported the development of new approaches for patient stratification and rehabilitation, and strengthened the dialogue between research, healthcare and patient communities.
While the project is coming to an end, the work on Long COVID continues. The consortium will ensure that the project’s findings, publications and collaborations will contribute to future research activities, clinical practice and a better understanding of Long COVID and related chronic conditions.
Thank you for following and supporting the Long COVID project throughout the years.
Project Coordinator
Helena Liira
Helsinki University Hospital
Helsinki, Finland
helena.liira@hus.fi
Project Co-Coordinators
Mari Kanerva (Clinical Studies)
Helsinki University Hospital
Helsinki, Finland
mari.kanerva@varha.fi
Giuseppe Balistreri (Mechanistic Studies)
University of Heslinki
Helsinki, Finland
giuseppe.balistreri@helsinki.fi
Project Coordinator-Support
Riikka Paasikivi
Spinverse
Helsinki, Finland
Riikka.Paasikivi@spinverse.com
Communication & Dissemination Leader
Lena Schleicher
Steinbeis Europa Zentrum
Stuttgart, Germany
lena.schleicher@steinbeis-europa.de
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe reserach and innovation programme under grand agreement No 101057553. This work was supported by the Swiss State for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 22.00094.
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