Link between long-Covid and work absence is strongest in older workers, ONS says

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show 23.3 per cent of 16-64 year-olds with long-covid were economically inactive as of July of this year.

This, compared to 21.4 per cent being inactive without long Covid, comes as the inactivity rate for those with long-Covid also increased significantly. 

Between July 2021 and 2022 inactivity for those with long covid went up almost four per cent, compared to just 0.4 per cent without it. 

The rate was strongest for those between the age of 50-64, who had higher odds of inactivity compared to pre-infection levels which peaked at 71.2 per cent.

The ONS figures also showed that those with long-covid are more likely to have long-term absence from work, of 18-29 weeks after they were first infected.

Read more at City A.M.