This Canadian scientist had a bad case of 'long COVID,' and now she's studying it

A respiratory scientist and COVID-19 long-hauler is using her expertise in immunology to study the long-term, potential autoimmune effects of the condition.

Manali Mukherjee, who is an assistant professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, contracted COVID-19 a year ago. Since then, she has been plagued with brain fog, dizziness and a distorted sense of smell that causes headaches.

Mukherjee told CTV News Channel on Saturday it took months for the symptoms to subside, and she is still not fully recovered.

"I think my story's not very different from a lot of people out there," Mukherjee said.

Studies have shown the rate of people who get 'long COVID' is between 20 and 50 per cent of those who contract the virus.