Tracking the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B. 1.1. 529) health and economic impact by occupational sector

Abstract

Background: Real-time outbreak patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have been crucial to provide quick response, prevention and attention programs. Workers reflect a country’s population, hence, paid sick leaves (short-term disability claims, STDC) can track epidemics, including the current pandemic. Our aim was to assess the impact of Omicron by occupational sector/subsector among N=19,961,714 private-sector workers affiliated to the Mexican Social Security Institute. Methods: We used STDC that had a linked SARS-CoV-19 diagnostic test between January and March 4, 2022. There were n=1,543,730 STDC and n=663,245 of them with a test. We calculated the positivity rate, lost work days (LWD), and relative risks (RR) of Omicron vs the same epidemiological weeks for the first, second and Delta COVID waves by economic sector/subsector. Results: Workers were 36±10.7 years old and 47% were men. We saw an 85.4% positivity rate, with an average of 6.8±3 LWD, representing 528.3 LWD per 1,000 workers. The RR of Omicron was highest compared to the first wave (RR= 1.84; 95%CI: 1.83, 1.84) with the Accommodation (RR= 3.98; 95%CI: 3.89, 4.07) and Educational Services-arts-entertainment-recreation (RR= 2.41; 95%CI: 2.37, 2.46) sectors having the highest RRs. The RR of Omicron vs Delta was the next highest RR= 1.29; 95%CI: 1.29, 1.29) with Health Care and Social Assistance (RR= 2.15; 95%CI: 2.12, 2.19) and Social and Community Services (RR= 1.79; 95%CI: 1.78, 1.81) having the highest RR. Omicron vs the second wave had a RR of 1.07; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.07, with Accommodation (RR= 1.40; 95%CI: 1.38, 1.41) and Educational Services-arts-entertainment-recreation (RR= 1.60; 95%CI: 1.57, 1.62) sectors having the highest RRs. Conclusions: Omicron spread more effectively than the previous COVID-19 and Delta waves in Mexico, affecting the touristic and health care sectors more importantly, reflecting the entrance of the variant to the country through tourism. Keywords: Omicron impact, occupational sector, Mexico