The coronavirus continues to affect sickness absence

– Although sickness absence reported by doctors is stable compared to the situation a year ago, it is still higher than before the pandemic. We see that the coronavirus continues to have a large impact on sickness absence, says Director of Labor and Welfare Hans Christian Holte.

Sickness absence with confirmed covid-19 recorded a sharp decrease (-23%). In this quarter, it accounted for 27% of sickness absence related to respiratory diseases.

Strong decline in the incidence of respiratory diseases

The number of days lost due to respiratory diseases decreased compared to the same quarter of 2021 (-22,3%).

“This decrease is due to the high sickness absence with respiratory diseases a year earlier as a result of the omicron variant very widespread in Q2021 XNUMX,” says Holte.

Sick leave due to flu increased by 140%. compared to the previous year. However, they accounted for only 8,8 percent. cases of respiratory diseases. The reason for the sharp increase is the low number of flu cases in the fourth quarter of 4.

– It may seem that we have passed the peak of sickness absence due to coronavirus. At the same time, we are likely seeing the effects of the long-term effects of this disease, says Holte.

Working days lost in 2022

according to SSB Sickness absenteeism at the level of 6,8 percent. in 2022 means 39,2 million lost working days throughout the year. There are 4,2 million more working days lost than in 2021, an increase of 12%. 

– The year 2022 was characterized by a lot of coronavirus and influenza. This is reflected in the high sickness absence in 2022, says Tonje Køber, head of the labor market and wages section.

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Source: NAV

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