The prevalence of long-lasting decreased sense of smell and taste is greatly elevated in mild COVID-19 patients. Also, this pattern is noted for dyspnea at a low level, however not for sore throat, fever, cough, headache, or muscle pain.

This prospective assessment was carried out to explore the symptoms day by day for non-hospitalized healthcare workers testing negative and positive for COVID-19.

In this 90-day follow-up study, 630 negative-test and 210 positive-test participants were followed for up to 90 days following testing. Their daily reported SARS-CoV-2-associated symptoms were evaluated graphically and via logistic regression.

During all 90 days, about 30% of COVID-positive and close to 0% of COVID-negative subjects witnessed a decreased sense of smell and taste (adjusted odds ratio 86.07). An initial 20% of COVID-positive people witnessed dyspnea that reduced to 5% after 30 days, without ever achieving the level of the COVID-negative people (adjusted odds ratio 6.88).

Among the positive-test subjects, muscle pain, fever, cough, headache, and sore throat were temporarily more prevalent. Following 30 days, no increases were witnessed. Females and people aged 45 years or older were more vulnerable to the long-lasting symptoms of coronavirus infection.

In individuals with mild coronavirus infection, the prevalence of long-lasting diminished sense of smell and taste is considerably increased.