Work Attendance during Acute Respiratory Illness Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, 2018

Work Attendance during Acute Respiratory Illness Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, United States, 2018–2022

Published:2023-08-06 Issue: Volume: Page:
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Author:

Ahmed Faruque^ORCID,Nowalk Mary Patricia,Zimmerman Richard K.^ORCID,Bear Todd,Grijalva Carlos G.^ORCID,Talbot H. Keipp,Florea Ana^ORCID,Tartof Sara Y.,Gaglani Manjusha,Smith Michael,McLean Huong Q.^ORCID,King Jennifer P.,Martin Emily T.^ORCID,Monto Arnold S.,Phillips C. Hallie,Wernli Karen J.,Flannery Brendan,Chung Jessie R.^ORCID,Uzicanin Amra

Abstract

AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses can be transmitted by infected persons who are pre-symptomatic or symptomatic. To assess impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work attendance during illness, we analyzed prospectively collected data from persons with acute respiratory illness (ARI) enrolled in a multi-state study during 2018–2022. Persons with prior experience working from home were significantly less likely than those without this experience to work onsite on the day before illness and during the first 3 days of illness; the effect was more pronounced for the COVID-19 pandemic period than the pre-pandemic influenza seasons. Persons with influenza or COVID-19 were significantly less likely to work onsite than persons with other ARIs. Among persons for whom positive COVID-19 test results were available by the second or third day of illness, few worked onsite. Work-from-home policies may reduce the likelihood of workplace exposures to respiratory viruses.Article’s summary lineWork-from-home policies may reduce the likelihood of workplace exposures to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.

Publisher

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

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