A new modeling study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases estimates that long COVID’s economic burden will exceed $8 billion between 2025 and the end of 2027. Researchers modeled individual health trajectories after COVID-19 infection, translating symptom persistence into healthcare costs and lost productivity. The paper estimates a single long COVID case could cost the U.S. $9,906 to $11,646 annually, with productivity losses accounting for more than 90% of total costs—implying sustained strain on employers, workforce planning, and indirect impacts on campus staffing and student employment. With no cure available, the finding underscores the need for institution-level disability support, health services capacity planning, and continuity strategies as more people remain affected rather than recovering fully over time.