Analysis finds link between virus and high workforce inactivity
A man walks in the middle of a deserted Westminster Bridge, as the spread of Covid-19 continues, in London, Britain. Picture: REUTERS/HANNAH McKAY
A link between Covid-19 and inactivity, which measures people who neither have a job nor are looking for one, has long been suspected, but there has been little conclusive evidence so far. The figures shed light on why so many people have dropped out of the workforce since the pandemic, one of the things that’s pushing up wages and inflation.
Inactivity has risen by 600,000 since early 2020, with long-term sickness the main factor. Falling participation is an acute problem in the UK, the only major economy where fewer people are in work than before the pandemic. The ONS defines long Covid-19 as symptoms lasting more than four weeks after a confirmed or suspected infection.
The analysis also found that older workers who caught the virus were equally likely to retire, whether it turned into long-Covid or not.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: New Zealand announces review of its handling of Covid-19 pandemicWELLINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The New Zealand government said on Monday it would launch an inquiry into the country's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic so future governments could learn from the experience.
Read more »
COVID-19: Biden administration mulls ending U.S. military Covid-19 vaccine mandateWASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration is mulling a proposal from Republican leader Kevin McCarthy to repeal the U.S. military's Covid-19 vaccine mandate, the White House said on Saturday.
Read more »
Covid under control, but chronic symptoms still cause for concern | The CitizenThere are people who have had Covid, both knowingly and unknowingly, who are now suffering the consequences thereof 😷
Read more »
Beijing, Shenzhen loosen more Covid-19 curbs as China fine-tunes policyBeijing residents on Saturday cheered the removal of Covid-19 testing booths while Shenzhen said it would no longer require commuters to present test results to travel, as an easing of China's virus curbs gathered pace.
Read more »
Shanghai axes some Covid testing requirements | News24Authorities in China's financial hub of Shanghai will from Monday scrap some testing requirements in the country's latest relaxing of its strict zero-Covid policy following nationwide protests unseen in decades.
Read more »