Stay away from the workplace if you’re sick this winter, employees urged

Before Covid-19 pandemic, british workers tended to “smile and put up with” their illnesses – but the public health authorities urge people to stay away from workplace if you get sick this winter.

It comes as the country prepares to die with influenza cases alongside Covid-19, amid fears the impending flu season may be particularly deadly due to reduced immunity among the general population. .

The NHS plans to immunize a record 35 million people against the flu, its most ambitious flu vaccine program in health service history. Frontline health and social service workers, pregnant women, people aged 50 and over, clinically vulnerable people, and schoolchildren up to grade 11 are eligible for free flu shots.

The Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization also recommended booster shots of the Covid vaccine for all people over 50, clinically vulnerable people, and frontline health and social service workers. As of Friday, 1.7 million people in England had received a recall.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Health Security Agency, said Radio schedules that she hopes the public will realize when they experience symptoms that could be infectious and that they can be supported to take time off work when ill.

She said: ‘I think, especially with the flu season approaching for example, when people in the UK have traditionally smiled and carried their infectious disease and then got down to business and got it. spread, I hope that as we get through the winter, people, when symptomatic, will generally recognize it, stay away, and be supported to do so. “

Dr Harries said there would likely be an increase in Covid cases if people immediately returned to work in large numbers, but added that those who have been doubly vaccinated against the virus are generally protected against serious illness.

“If everyone went back to work immediately without consideration, then I think it’s likely that we would see more cases in a short period of time, depending on whether they were wearing face coverings, whether they were taking the proper precautions. “she said.

“But, of course, most people are now protected, so even double-vaccinated people get infected, (but) they don’t get seriously ill and they don’t die like we’ve seen before.”

“Few people got the flu last year from Covid-19 restrictions, so there isn’t as much natural immunity in our communities as usual,” said Professor Jonathan Van-Tam , Deputy Chief Medical Officer of England.

“We will see the flu circulating this winter; it could be higher than usual and this makes it a significant public health problem.

“Covid-19 will continue to circulate and with more people mixing inside, some increases are unfortunately possible. For the first time, the Covid-19 and the flu will co-circulate.

“We have to take this seriously and defend ourselves and the NHS by getting the annual flu shot and the Covid-19 booster when called upon,” he added.

Calls for people to return to their offices have increased since the end of the leave program in September, after 18 months.

At the Conservative Party conference last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued another call for workers to return to ‘buzzing’ city centers, adding ‘we will see and have to see people back in the office’ then that he was continuing his campaign to end homework.