This cross-sectional observational study aims to determine the prevalence of Persistent COVID-19 in 282 individuals in Punta Arenas, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region. Persistent COVID-19 is a complex array of symptoms that persist or emerge for more than 4 weeks beyond SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies suggest that up to 80% of survivors may develop chronic multi-organ dysfunction due to persistent inflammation and immune dysregulation, making it an ongoing public health concern worldwide.

The study aims to (1) describe and establish the frequency of physical and psychological signs and symptoms in adult patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, (2) identify individuals who meet the WHO case definition of Persistent COVID-19 in Chile, (3) explore risk factors associated with persistent COVID-19 to guide intervention strategies, and (4) explore inflammatory and molecular biomarkers associated with persistent COVID-19.

The research project utilizes a stratified random sampling with a mixed-methods embedded design. In the first phase, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 will be recruited and followed up to complete the study's sample universe. A sociodemographic survey, blood sampling (including complete blood count, biochemical profile, immunoglobulin mutational status analysis, and analysis of inflammatory biomarkers), and a battery of psychological tests will be administered. In the second phase, kinesiology studies and medical consultation and evaluation will be conducted to determine if individuals have Persistent COVID-19 and to derive them to the healthcare network. In the final follow-up phase, participants diagnosed with Persistent COVID-19 will be invited to undergo musculoskeletal and respiratory assessments to complete the diagnosis of symptoms associated with the pathology.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Individuals must be included in the COVID-19 monitoring database by the SEREMI of Health in Punta Arenas between July 2022 and July 2023.
• Patients able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years
• Any physical, mental, immunosuppressive, or social condition that, in the investigator's judgment, might interfere with the completion of the baseline assessments and evaluations.
• Individuals who are digitally illiterate and do not have access to nearby networks to support them during the process.

To identify potential participants for this population-based study with stratified random sampling, we also considered the following eligibility criteria: (1) Diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-qPCR test (2) residency in Punta Arenas, (3) recruitment messages via phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media postings, and (4) referrals from collaborating healthcare providers.

The data that will be shared is all of the individual participant data collected during the trial, after deidentification.

Immediately following our data is cleaned, quality checked, and analyzed, we will make the data available to the general research community. All data made available for public use will be de-identified data, i.e., stripped of private, protected health information that could be used to deduce the identity of individual subjects, in compliance with the Rule.

PPCov-19 Study website to be determined