Geneva, Switzerland – Long Covid continues to have a significant impact on both work productivity and public health, as officials and economists express concerns over the challenges in accurately measuring the effects of the condition.
Defined as symptoms that persist or develop three months after an initial infection and last for at least two months, long Covid has been detrimental to the productivity of healthcare systems, with far-reaching consequences on the broader workforce. However, the lack of precise data quantifying the impact of long Covid on labor markets and healthcare finances has made it challenging for authorities to address the issue effectively.
Hans Kluge, the European regional director of the World Health Organization, highlighted the urgent need for consistent monitoring and reporting of data related to long Covid. Kluge emphasized the importance of better reporting, surveillance, diagnostics, as well as data on hospitalizations, mortality rates, and healthcare costs to accurately assess the burden imposed by the condition.
While efforts are underway to determine the prevalence of long Covid among healthcare workers in various countries, estimates suggest that the condition may have reduced labor supply in the European Union by up to 0.5 percent in 2022, equivalent to over 1 million full-time workers. Studies in the US and UK have similarly concluded that long Covid has contributed to a rise in workplace absences.
Despite these findings, the exact number of individuals who have permanently left or scaled back work due to long Covid remains unknown. Issues of stigma and reluctance to disclose the condition to employers further complicate the understanding of its full impact on the workforce.
Research indicates that cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as “brain fog,” is a significant challenge faced by individuals with long Covid. Studies have shown that nearly one in four individuals with long Covid experience cognitive issues, highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions in the workplace.
The burden of long Covid is particularly severe in healthcare settings, where the need for temporary workers to cover absences has led to increased costs. In the UK, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 NHS staff were reported to be off sick with long Covid in 2023, underscoring the challenges faced by the healthcare sector.
As the understanding of long Covid evolves, experts stress the importance of enhancing treatment options, improving support for affected individuals in the workforce, and conducting further research to address the long-term consequences of the condition. The emergence of long Covid offers valuable lessons for healthcare systems, employers, and policymakers in managing the ongoing impact of the pandemic on public health and the economy.