Leave and Claim Trends Report

COVID-19-related claims are falling – and things are looking up

October 27, 2021

As we enter a new season, we are welcoming a promising shift in the state of the pandemic. Data from our Absence Management Center shows that the number of Short-Term Disability (STD) claims and leave requests related to COVID-19 are trending downward, following the number of COVID-19 cases nationwide.

Early in the summer, COVID-19-related claims and leave requests made up under 5% of total STD requests. But from mid-July to September, these requests were on the rise, likely due to the delta variant, reaching its peak at 20% of total claims in late August.

Now that we are well into fall, past the outbreak felt across the U.S., things are officially looking up as new infections and hospitalizations are going down. Our data reflects this downward trend with about 10% of total claims being COVID-19-related. Now, we are cautiously optimistic as we have started to see a decline in requests, mirroring the number of cases nationwide.

COVID-19 leave requests and Short Term Disability volumes by week.

Source: Unum Absence Management Center Data, as of October 18, 2021.

COVID-19 vs. non-COVID-19 leave requests and Short Term Disability claims

Source: Unum Absence Management Center data, as of October 18, 2021.

We aren’t the only ones who are feeling hopeful.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, has reported that the U.S. has made a significant turnaround after the most recent spike. Ever since reported cases peaked in late August, numbers have been gradually declining through September and into October, mirroring the first wave back in spring 2020.

Now is the time to stay on the right track.

But just because the worst of the summer surge appears to be over doesn’t mean we can let our guards down.

These trends have encouraged experts like Dr. Fauci to continue recommending the necessary measures to maintain this positive change. They agree that vaccinations and therapeutics like the experimental pill will keep the U.S. moving in the right direction.

But just because the Delta surge appears to be over doesn't mean we can let our guards down. As we all head indoors, from the classroom to holiday celebrations, vigilance and adherence to Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations can help avoid another surge like we saw last December.

COVID-19-related claims are falling – and things are looking up