Persistent Cold Waves Have Maintained Elevated Illness Levels During First Half of the Year
In the first half of the year, Baden-Württemberg saw a significant increase in absences due to cold and flu, according to health insurer DAK. The rise in these absences is largely attributed to the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the subsequent rebound of other respiratory viruses.
The analysis of sick leave for nearly 250,000 DAK-insured employees in Baden-Württemberg was conducted by the Berlin-based IGES Institute. The data showed that, on average, absences due to cold and flu were higher than the previous year.
Regarding variation across professions, absences typically differ based on occupational exposure risks and work environments. Healthcare and social service workers often see higher absence rates due to their close contact with patients and higher infection risks. Education and childcare workers may also experience elevated absences, reflecting increased transmission among children. Office and administrative professions usually have lower absence rates, especially if remote work is feasible. Manual labor or service industry jobs can show variable absence levels depending on workplace density and hygiene conditions.
Despite the data not directly showing Baden-Württemberg's regional absence statistics by profession during the first half of the year, these general occupational patterns are well established during respiratory infection surges and post-pandemic recovery phases.
Just under half of working adults were absent at least once between January and June. However, the overall absenteeism in Baden-Württemberg during the first half of the year was 4.6 percent, slightly below last year's 4.9 percent. The decrease in overall absenteeism is attributed to a decrease in mental illnesses and less strain from musculoskeletal disorders, according to DAK.
The subsiding of the infection wave was also reported by health insurer DAK, with the average duration per illness case decreasing from 9.5 to 9.0 days. Despite this decrease, absences due to respiratory infections increased by six percent compared to the same period last year.
In the elderly and healthcare sectors, absences averaged 10 days, while people in IT professions had the fewest absences, with an average of 5 days. Especially high absences were recorded in childcare facilities, with an average of 11 days. The main reason for the increase was a strong cold wave in January and February.
In conclusion, the rise in cold and flu absences in Baden-Württemberg during the first half of the year correlates with relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, causing increased circulation of common respiratory viruses. Absences vary by profession, influenced by exposure risk, frontline status, and contact density typical of each field, with healthcare and education workers often most affected.
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