Published data from the UK’s Office of National Statistics (ONS), 29th July 2022, shows a slight decrease in the number of Covid infections.
- England: 1 in 20 people
- Scotland: 1 in 19 people
- Wales: 1 in 19 people
- Northern Ireland: 1 in 16 people
Although this is a decrease, the rate of infection is still high.
The percentage of adults in the UK with Covid antibodies is high, however it is lower for children aged 8 to 11 years (68.1%)
Unfortunately Covid related deaths increased in the UK. There were 694 deaths involving COVID-19 registered in the week ending 15 July 2022 in the UK an increase from 529 in the previous week. This accounted for 5.8% of all deaths in the latest week, an increase from 4.5% in the previous week.
See also: #Covid Related Deaths in Scotland: Weekly Update 28.07.2022
Long Covid
This week the Institute of Fiscal Studies published their report Long COVID and the labour market
Key findings
- According to the Office for National Statistics, almost 2 million people, or 3% of the population, had long COVID by the end of May 2022, of whom 72% were limited by the condition and 21% were limited ‘a lot’. These numbers have been rising steadily since the middle of 2021.
- The impact of long COVID is felt unequally. Existing work finds that sufferers are more likely to have a pre-existing health condition, be female and be middle aged. We show that they are also more likely to live in social housing, to have been claiming benefits before the pandemic, and possibly to be in poverty.
- By examining how outcomes have changed since before the pandemic for long COVID sufferers and similar individuals without the condition, we estimate that one in ten people who develop long COVID stop working, with sufferers generally going on sick leave (rather than losing their jobs altogether). As a result, hours worked on average reduce by about 2½ hours per week and earnings by £65 per month (6%), or £1,100 per person who drops out of work. Our estimates suggest that while the prevalence and severity of COVID remain
at current levels, the aggregate impact is equivalent to 110,000 workers being off sick. - At the individual level, long COVID shows some persistent labour market effects, with impacts being felt at least three months after infection. Further research would be required to precisely determine the duration of the impact.
Tom Wernham, a Research Economist at IFS and an author of the report, said:
‘Though acute COVID is no longer the severe threat to public health and the economy that it once was, the impact of long COVID has continued to grow over time, with almost 2 million now suffering from the condition.
“Our research suggests that for a significant minority of long COVID sufferers, the condition has severe effects not only on their health but on their ability to do paid work.
“The rising rate of long COVID could therefore put additional strain on families during the cost of living crisis, especially as long COVID is more common among poorer families, as well as drag on a struggling economy – we estimate there are 110,000 workers missing from work as a result.’
Creating Safe Environments
In their weekly briefing, Indie SAGE, stressed the importance of creating safe environments to minimise the transmission of Covid.
Independent SAGE is a group of scientists who are working together to provide independent scientific advice to the UK government and public on how to minimise deaths and support Britain’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis
- get your vaccine when offered to ensure you are fully protected
- stay at home if you’re unwell with symptoms or have a fever
- open windows when socialising indoors
- wear a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
- wash your hands to protect yourself
Care for yourself and others to help slow down the spread of the virus and reduce pressure on our health services.
See also: 35 New #Covid Cases in Orkney: Weekly Update
Fiona Grahame