March 16 2026 - 7:00pm
Niagara Falls was lit in a teal color last night to mark International Long Covid Awareness Day.
Among other locations illuminated to recognize the occasion was Canada’s tallest structure, Toronto’s CN Tower. The tower regularly changes colors to celebrate a variety of events during the year, including Kwanzaa, Human Rights Day and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
International Long Covid Awareness Day began in 2023, with the stated aim to “increase Long Covid visibility”, “share information to try to prevent Covid infections”, and “empower patients”.
International Long Covid Awareness Day was marked on 15 March with a series of public displays around the world. In New York, a billboard in Times Square carried a 60-second Long Covid message every hour. Buildings across North America, Europe and Australia were also illuminated, including Brighton Palace Pier, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Manchester Printworks in the UK. There were also demonstrations across several Canadian cities, as well as in Spain and Belgium.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 6% of those who have had Covid-19 go on to develop long Covid. Data has suggested that as many as 65 million people globally suffer from the condition, though debate continues over its prevalence and severity.
Academic research has shown that long Covid can be hard to define and symptoms vary, suggesting prevalence of the condition may be exaggerated. Additionally, the BMJ Group has stated that research into the condition has been flawed and that the risk has been overstated.
Niagara Falls consists of a group of three waterfalls formed by the Niagara River. The falls are frequently illuminated throughout the year, not only for global events such as the Lunar New Year and Christmas Day, but also to mark days highlighting health conditions, including World Kidney Day and International Lymphedema Day.
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