A surge in recent COVID-19 infections has led to a steep rise in the number of staff calling in sick – costing businesses millions of pounds in the process.
According to the Office of National Statistics, one in 17 people or 5.77% of the population (roughly 3.2million) in England had COVID-19 in the week ending 14 July, showing a steady increase from the 2.7million infected in the week ending 3rd July. The Independent reports that, during this week, 1.65 million working days were lost to COVID, at an estimated cost to employers of £226.4million – an increase of 23% on the previous week, according to data from absence management company GoodShape.