The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Long COVID as a “chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least three months.” Symptoms can include “brain fog,” chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain or muscle aches, persistent cough. All symptoms impacting daily life and productivity.

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The CDC cites a 2022 report about 6.9% of U.S. adults who said they experienced Long COVID and 3.4% were currently dealing with it. Estimates from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) say that 7.7 million to 23 million American COVID-19 survivors have developed Long COVID.

Traverse City emerges as a hub for long COVID care.

To fight this chronic condition, local provider Celly Health Medical Group is partnering with HealthBio Inc. – led by Dr. Bruce Patterson – to launch a new facility in the Bayview Professional Centre. Patterson is a former Stanford University researcher who once directed clinical virology and co-directed the AIDS Research Center. Patterson served on U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s national long COVID’s roundtable in September of this year.

According to the Traverse City Ticker, Oct. 20 marked the soft-launch of the center. Treatment at the new Long COVID center combines cutting-edge research with practical symptom management. Patients are evaluated for their health issues and then are guided through individualized care that includes targeted medications.

HealthBio’s research has centered on a 6-to 12-week protocol using two existing FDA-approved drugs, maraviroc (an HIV medication) and atorvastatin (for cholesterol), aimed at reducing vascular inflammation and restoring immune balance. Patterson has treated over 12,000 patients using this drug combination.

The Traverse City partnership allows patients to receive in-person primary care alongside these specialized treatments, supported by telehealth options nationwide.

Why it Matters for Michigan.

For residents across northern lower Michigan – and the state as a whole – the launch of this center means access to advanced, research-backed treatment without trekking to a bigger city. Long COVID isn’t just lingering fatigue; it’s a complex condition that’s sidelined millions of Americans and strained the healthcare system. With Traverse City now serving as a national hub, patients and practitioners alike can gain a blueprint for how innovative science and compassionate care can work hand-in-hand. What started as one doctor’s research may now give countless Michiganders a path back to normal life,  and put the region on the map as a leader in long COVID recovery.