4 in 10 Workers Say They Missed Work During the Omicron Surge Due to COVID-19 Illness, Quarantine or Closure

The surge in COVID-19 cases triggered by the omicron variant led to widespread work disruptions, with about 4 in 10 workers (42%) – including 6 in 10 of those with lower incomes – saying they had to miss work at least once in the past three months because of a COVID-19 illness, quarantine, or closure, a new KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor report shows.

Among all workers, a quarter (26%) say they missed work because they had to quarantine following a COVID-19 exposure, 20% missed work after testing positive, and 13% missed work because their employer was closed or had reduced hours due to COVID-19 concerns. In addition, nearly 3 in 10 employed parents (28%) say they had to miss work to stay home with a child who had to quarantine or because their child’s school went virtual. CONTINUED

Kaiser Family Foundation


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