One of the strangest symptoms of COVID is the loss of taste and smell. Some people have discovered that when their senses return they’ve been altered.

A new study out of the U.K. finds that loss of smell or taste is a “highly reliable” indicator that someone has contracted COVID-19. But after contracting COVID-19, Fletcher experienced difficulty breathing, abdominal pain and lost his sense of smell and taste. According to Justin Turner, a doctor and medical director of Vanderbilt University’s Smell and Taste Center, about 50%-70% of patients with COVID-19 will lose part or all of their sense of smell and/or taste. Turner says for up to 25% of COVID-19 patients, the loss of smell and taste could be the first -- and sometimes only -- sign of infection. The loss of smell and taste can linger for months following a COVID-19 infection; it’s often the last symptom to resolve.

New research shows which of those patients are at the highest risk for developing serious complications. Overall, three medical conditions significantly increased the risk of death: obesity, hypertension and diabetes. In particular, morbid obesity and hypertension more than doubled the risk of death, and the effect was additive. Essentially, having any of these three conditions raised a person’s risk from that of a young person to a middle-aged person. The same study found that 10% of young adults sick enough to be hospitalized with COVID-19 required a ventilator.

St. Clair, Mich. – The St. Clair County Health Department announced Thursday that a coronavirus (COVID-19) case was confirmed at Pepper Joe’s in St. Clair. A press release from read that Pepper Joe’s management is working with the county’s health department and is in compliance with safety protocols as it remains open. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 99,958 as of Thursday, including 6,440 deaths, state officials report. Thursday’s update represents 758 new cases and 16 additional deaths -- 15 of which were from a Vital Records review. General questions for St. Clair County can be directed to the county’s COVID-19 Informational Hotline at 810-966-4163 or email covid19@stclaircounty.org.

DETROIT – Health care workers, especially those on the frontlines in the fight against coronavirus, are experiencing burnout at alarming rates. It’s a silent crisis hiding in the shadow of the pandemic and it can potentially harm patients, the doctors and nurses themselves. A recent study published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine finds the prevalence of burnout is 40%. When he recovered, he traveled to New York to treat coronavirus patients. A plea to the public to protect themselves and others to reduce the burden on front line medical workers, at imminent risk of burning out.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Clinton Township woman who was healthy before contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19) said she’s been battling symptoms -- including seizures and hallucinations -- for 131 days. “I was healthy,” Nelson said. “I was completely fine.”The week prior, she had lost her sense of smell and taste, but back then, those weren’t recognized as official COVID-19 symptoms. It’s going on four months now.”Nelson said she has meticulously documented her symptoms for months. You just don’t know if you’re going to be unlucky.”Her advice to others is to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.

DETROIT While Europe has fought through its first wave of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections, doctors said lingering symptoms and painful long-term effects are increasing the need for ongoing care. In the United Kingdom, a new study into the long-term effects of the coronavirus is underway. Europe is farther along in the process than the United States, but this is also a concern for doctors in the U.S. Many COVID-19 survivors in the U.S. are undergoing rehab and reporting lingering problems with fatigue, brain fog and more. Its impossible to know what the truly long-term effects are because the virus has only been around for months.

DETROIT Doctors are starting to learn more about how the coronavirus (COVID-19) can affect the brain, and they report some patients are suffering from confusion, or even delirium. He said intensive care unit delirium isnt uncommon, especially in older patients and people with medical problems. Research suggests COVID-19 delirium is trending younger, though, with some patients arriving at the hospital complaining of hallucinations, experts said. Early studies suggest some COVID-19 delirium might also be linked to prolonged periods of low oxygen. Doctors are just starting to learn about the long-term consequences of COVID-19, and its important to study people as they recover, George said.

The study found that after one month, 49% of patients had regained their senses, while another 41% had overall improvement. Patients admitted with COVID-19 were compared to patients with influenza in two New York hospitals. Researchers found 1.6% of coronavirus patients experienced strokes, compared to only 0.2% of influenza patients. Adjusting for age, sex and race, the likelihood of COVID-19 patients developing a stroke was 7.6% higher. COVID-19 surveillance effortsA Centers For Disease Control and Prevention publication that looked at COVID-19 surveillance efforts in 26 Detroit skilled nursing facilities found 44% of those tested were positive for the virus, with 24% dying.

Listed below are the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC last updated the symptoms on May 13, 2020 after adding six symptoms for the disease in April. From the CDC:Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Watch for symptomsPeople with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

DETROIT – Study into hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has constantly evolved throughout the pandemic, and now, researchers are studying whether the drug can prevent the infection from developing in someone who was exposed to the virus. RECENTLY: New COVID-19 studies raise flags, under auditPreviously published studies have primarily focused on using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 after someone had already developed the infection, and to date, they have not been conclusive regarding benefit. A new study moved up the process and examined whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent an infection after someone is exposed. ResultsIn the end, there was no significant difference in the number of COVID-19 infections after exposure, and it was concluded that hydroxychloroquine was not found to have a benefit in preventing the development of COVID-19 after exposure. Henry Ford Hospital is still enrolling for the WHIP COVID-19 study of front line workers.

Can hydroxychloroquine prevent infection after exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19)? Published: June 4, 2020, 4:28 pmStudy into hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has constantly evolved throughout the pandemic, and now, researchers are studying whether the drug can prevent the infection from developing in someone who was exposed to the virus.

DETROIT New research into the coronavirus (COVID-19) is revealing some troubling trends related to how asymptomatic people are spreading the virus to others. Based on the CDCs current best data, its estimated 40% of the spread happens before a person develops symptoms. Best available data suggests roughly 35% of infected people dont have nay symptoms but can still spread the virus. The result of an outbreak investigation from the CDCs publication Emerging Infections Diseases is an important warning about how COVID-19 can spread during large gatherings. Once he was identified as a positive contact, tracers found 350 of the guests and tested them for COVID-19.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Michigan residents can now enter information at any time into a new tool and see if they are showing symptoms that might be early signs of the coronavirus (COVID-19). While the tool was designed primarily for employers and employees, its available for anyone in Michigan. Just enter information daily to help identify symptoms that might be caused by the virus. MI Symptoms is a free tool that employers can use to help track workplace health and keep our economy operating. MI Symptoms and the MI Safe Start Map integrates real-time data collection and analysis to aid rapid decision-making.Click here to visit the MI Safe Start Map.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. There are 15 specific coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms listed in the governments new tool designed to let Michigan residents check themselves for early signs of the virus. Just enter information daily to help identify symptoms that might be caused by the virus. It could help residents make decisions about when to seek medical help. MI Symptoms is a free tool that employers can use to help track workplace health and keep our economy operating. MI Symptoms and the MI Safe Start Map integrates real-time data collection and analysis to aid rapid decision-making.Click here to visit the MI Safe Start Map.

New studies claim COVID-19 doesn’t just damage the lungs, it can also impact the heart. Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City looked at health records from more than 100 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between March 26 and April 22. Based on this finding, doctors could use echocardiograms to help identify COVID-19 patients at the highest risk. Several studies have now looked at one of the stranger symptoms of COVID-19 -- the sudden loss of taste or smell. Most COVID-19 patients regain their sense of taste and smell on their own, but experts say those who don’t may benefit from available treatments.

New studies show how COVID-19 affects heart, lungs, tastePublished: May 20, 2020, 5:26 pmResearchers are constantly learning more about coronavirus and how it impacts the body.

DETROIT – Children's Hospital of Michigan is warning that a mysterious syndrome sickening children in New York and Europe is impacting children here too. "We have several in the ICU right now, and we have several in our hospital right now," said Valentini. Valentini sent a letter to doctors in Michigan warning them to be on lookout for this syndrome. The syndrome is puzzling because children in general have seemed to suffer few symptoms from COVID-19. Cases of the syndrome have been seen in babies all the way up to teenagers.

DETROIT – Children's Hospital of Michigan is warning that a mysterious syndrome sickening children in New York and Europe is impacting children here too. "We have several in the ICU right now, and we have several in our hospital right now," said Valentini. Valentini sent a letter to doctors in Michigan warning them to be on lookout for this syndrome. The syndrome is puzzling because children in general have seemed to suffer few symptoms from COVID-19. Cases of the syndrome have been seen in babies all the way up to teenagers.

Doctors warn of rare syndrome being seen in Michigan childrenPublished: May 7, 2020, 4:34 pmChildren's Hospital of Michigan is warning other physicians and parents to be on the lookout for a rare syndrome in children.

LANSING, Mich. – People with mild coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are now able to get tested. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expanding testing criteria for coronavirus to include those with mild symptoms. MORE: What the CDC says you should do if you believe you have coronavirus (COVID-19)How COVID-19 SpreadsPerson-to-person spreadThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

DETROIT – The usual symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) include fever, cough and shortness of breath -- but there are other symptoms people should watch out for. Fever, cough and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms and often herald the most severe complications. A runny nose, congestion, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all possible with COVID-19. READ: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases total 2,295; Death toll rises to 43If you are not severely ill and you can manage your symptoms at home the current guidance is that you should self-isolate until you recover. If you get fever, shortness of breath, dehydration or pain you should seek medical care.