Long COVID Among Wisconsin Workers in the Workers' Compensation System: Associations With Sociodemographics, Vaccination, and Predominant Variant Period From March 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022.

Abstract

This analysis aimed to determine the likelihood of developing long COVID among Wisconsin workers while adjusting for sociodemographics, COVID-19 vaccination, industry, and occupation. This retrospective analysis determined the odds ratios of developing long COVID among Wisconsin workers who were compensated for COVID-19 lost time during March 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022. A total of 234 workers (11.7%) were determined to have long COVID. Factors associated with long COVID were age ≥40 years, non-White race, infection occurrence during the initial and Omicron variant dominant periods, and the absence of COVID-19 vaccination. Workers in manufacturing and public administration were more likely to develop long COVID compared with those in health care and social assistance. Long COVID disproportionately affects some worker groups. This calls for more worker protection and preventative care to mitigate its impact.