Most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease — continue to experience symptoms after their initial recovery.
About 16 million working-age Americans have long-term Covid also known as Long Covid, and 2-4 million are out of work because of its ill effects, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution. New data shows long Covid is keeping as many as 4 million people out of work (brookings.edu)
Employers have complained of labor shortages throughout the pandemic, and one reason for the lack of workers is due to the large number of working-age Americans out of work due to having Long Covid.
Long Covid, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Covid-related symptoms that last three or more months after first contracting the virus, has turned out to be complicated. It is hard to track and study as symptoms can vary from individual to individual. In addition, symptoms can range from gastrointestinal issues to nerve pain and fatigue.
The CDC in June 2022 estimated that nearly one in five American adults who had Covid-19 still have Long Covid symptoms. Overall, one in 13 adults in the US – about 7.5% of the population – have Long Covid. Although no local data is currently available, it is fair to assume that Hawaii has a similar proportion of its population with Long Covid symptoms.
Older people and people with many serious medical conditions are the most likely to experience lingering COVID-19 symptoms, but even young, otherwise healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months after infection.
Common signs and symptoms that linger over time and vary from one individual to another include:
o Fatigue
o Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
o Cough
o Joint pain
o Chest pain
o Memory, concentration or sleep problems
o Muscle pain or headache
o Fast or pounding heartbeat
o Loss of smell or taste
o Depression or anxiety
o Fever
o Dizziness when standing
o Worsened symptoms after physical or mental activities
Although COVID-19 is seen as a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can damage many other organs, such as the heart and brain as well. This organ damage may increase the risk of long-term health problems.
In addition to difficulties recruiting and retaining employees, employers may experience other impacts from employees with Long Covid symptoms. Employers may have reduced productivity due to higher sick leave other leaves both paid and unpaid. For example, employees with Long Covid may meet requirements for short term disability (TDI) and/or long term disability. In addition, employees may request leave of absences (larger employers may have employees request FMLA or Hawaii Family Leave Law) or resign their positions. Employers will need to review on a case by case basis to determine if an employee is eligible for disability benefits or leave due to having Long Covid.
We will need more time to experience how big or disruptive the impacts will be on employers from employees who have Long Covid. It will likely contribute to difficulties hiring and retaining qualified employees and may lead to more employees utilizing sick and unpaid leave. The impact from employees being absent from work will add to the workload of other employees and may also impact stress, mental health and morale.
More research and data will be available in the coming months as researchers release their findings and reports regarding Long Covid. For example, Long Covid may be found to continue for years rather than months and may change as the Covid variants change as well. In addition, employees may resign from their jobs or request leave
of absences (larger employers may have employees request leaves as mandated
by the Family Medical Leave Act or Hawaii Family Leave Law). Employers will
need to review on a case by case basis to determine if an employee is
eligible for disability benefits or leave of absence due to having Long
Covid.