A recent study from USC found that around 23% of all Covid sufferers will develop some form of long Covid, which are defined as symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks, and include headaches, runny noses, and fatigue.

“Long COVID is a major public health concern. Twenty-three percent is a very high prevalence, and it may translate to millions of people,” the researchers explain. “More knowledge on its prevalence, persistent symptoms and risk factors may help health care professionals allocate resources and services to help long haulers get back to normal lives.”

Affecting the workforce

Research from the University of Southampton highlights how long Covid is affecting the workforce. The research estimates that around 80,000 people have left the workforce as a result of long Covid symptoms.

“Continued waves of coronavirus infections, which may go on for a number of years, will keep people off work while sick with long COVID,” the researchers explain. “Many will lose their jobs and some will remain out of the workforce for a long time or permanently.”

The authors highlight how this is a particular problem for workers in lower-paid jobs as these are often those that put people at the highest risk of infection. It’s a situation that the researchers believe needs to be addressed, not least as infections are remaining high.

“We have been told that hospitalization from COVID-19 are further going down, so not to worry about infections much if you don’t have an underlying health condition,” they explain. “At the same time, everyone witnesses that some sectors such as health services, airports and hospitality are short-staffed. It is important to connect health and economic issues.”

Labor shortages

This also comes at a time in which labor shortages are commonplace. Indeed, they highlight how there are currently more vacancies in the UK than there are unemployed people to fill them.

With long Covid-related absences adding to this situation, the researchers believe it’s time for governments to address this by providing both more employment protection and financial support for those that are affected by long Covid.

They explain that current statutory sick pay is just under £100 per week for up to 28 weeks, which pales in comparison to insurance-based schemes in various other European countries, which can pay up to 70% of one’s income for up to three years.

“Policy solutions include flexible working arrangements to accommodate ill-health and extensions to Statutory Sick Pay in order to maintain employment until recovery from long COVID,” they conclude.