'Pingdemic' | UK sectors hit hardest by self-isolation - here's how Gov is responding

Shop workers, cleaners and caterers have been worst hit by Covid self-isolation alerts, with new data revealing more than 74,000 retail employees have been affected by the ‘pingdemic’.

Figures compiled by FirstCare – an absence management solutions firm – on behalf of iNews, analysed workforce absences recorded throughout July.

The data indicated that 74,292 employees in the consumer and retail sector are self-isolating in July, with a further 18,758 workers also off work with confirmed Covid-19 infections.

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The data also revealed that the second worst sector to be hit was workplace services. This includes catering, cleaning and facilities management, with 65,673 staff members off through isolation, and 12,865 employees infected with Covid.