A new report released by the New York State Insurance Fund has revealed the effects of Long COVID-19 on workers. The report found that 31 percent of 3,139 established COVID workers’ compensations claims were suffering from long COVID, with 70 percent unable to return to work or needing medical treatments for at least six months and 18 percent not returning after one year. Those who did return to work often experienced “disruptive” symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. The report also revealed that claimants with comorbidities or who were hospitalized for COVID-19 were more likely to develop long COVID, and the risk of hospitalizations and death also increased when a claimant had more than one comorbidity. The ratio of long COVID claims to total COVID claims has also dropped from 44 percent in March 2020 to 8 percent in March of 2022.
The findings of the report demonstrate the difficulty that workers suffering from long COVID-19 face in returning to their jobs. Those with comorbidities are at an increased risk for hospitalization and death, and more resources need to be provided to ensure that these workers have access to the necessary medical treatments and resources to help them recover.