COVID-19 Response Reports
Since the very beginning of the pandemic, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been on the front lines, caring for Veterans, their caregivers and the greater U.S. population. Although the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has ended, VA’s standard of care has not—and will not—waver. We will continue to provide the best possible health care as we adjust our policies and procedures to the changing nature of the virus.
In keeping with that commitment, VHA has published a series of reports on its COVID-19 response. The COVID-19 Response Report and its annexes provide findings, recommendations and insights about pandemic care that can be used to combat COVID-19 and to support future health care emergencies.
Since 2020, we have learned a great deal about fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Throughout the long years of the pandemic, our people have worked tirelessly to protect Veterans and support the nation through an unprecedented health crisis. As a learning organization, we believe it is important to share our successes and challenges with the public, even as we apply lessons to enhance our preparedness for future responses while continuously advancing healthcare for Veterans. We hope that the lessons published in these documents will benefit individuals, public health agencies, and health systems.
Below are the reports we have published thus far, each covering a specific period of the pandemic.
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report: 10-30-2020
- Read the Response Report Synopsis: 10-30-2020
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report Annex A: 5-10-2021
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report Annex B: 12-15-2021
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report Annex C: 12-05-2022
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report Annex D (Interim): 4-10-2023
- Read the COVID-19 Response Report Annex D: 9-15-2023
The response to COVID-19 is fundamentally a very human story, featuring people of all industries and geographies coming together to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our generation. The lessons learned in these reports are about those people: VA practitioners who provided health services during our Nation’s time of need.
We are pleased to consider requests for media interviews with VA leaders and subject matter experts. Inquiries should be directed to VHA10BCOM2MediaRelationsAction@va.gov.VA's Whole Health Approach to Long COVID
The Whole Health System Approach to Long COVID guide(PDF) equips healthcare providers with a patient-centered holistic approach to caring for patients with Long COVID. It includes 10 one-page guides for signs, symptoms, and treatment recommendations to facilitate a patient-centered approach to caring for Veterans with Long COVID.
For Veterans this Long COVID Fact Sheet(PDF) is a companion to the clinical guide, written in plain language. It gives examples of possible symptoms and provides space to write down symptoms to share with health care providers.
Long COVID: Three Veterans' Journey video is a resource that helps Veterans to recognize Long COVID symptoms that they may be having and helps them to understand that there is hope. In this powerful video, Veterans Franz, LaTrice and Mark tell us in their own words what life was like when they were first diagnosed with Long COVID and how their health and overall quality of life improved. (7:30 minutes) The ending makes recommendations for next steps.
Three Veterans' Journey PSA/Trailer: This 60-second public service announcement about VA’s Long COVID Program features three Veterans telling helps Veterans recognize Long COVID symptoms and understand there is hope. The ending makes recommendations for next steps.
