Nearly 9 million people called out sick with COVID-19 in the early part of January, a staggering number and a blow to businesses already grappling with a labor shortage.
The Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey released Wednesday showed 8.8 million people reported not being at work because of coronavirus-related reasons between December 29 and January 10.
That was well up from the 3 million who called out sick from December 1 to December 13, before the Omicron wave struck. It wasn't clear from the survey how many of the workers were ill with symptoms, or isolating due to close contacts or positive tests.
Meanwhile, layoffs increased last week as Omicron battered businesses and delayed economic recovery, with new jobless claims increasing 55,000 to 286,000, the highest level since mid-July.
Layoffs increased last week as Omicron battered businesses and delayed economic recovery, with new jobless claims increasing 55,000 to 286,000
People walk past a closed business shop in Miami, Florida on January 12, 2022
'The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is hurting the U.S. labor market, but the good news is that this will be temporary,' said Ryan Sweet, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The third straight weekly increase in jobless claims reported by the Labor Department on Thursday was also influenced by unfavorable seasonal factors after the holidays.
Coronavirus cases, driven by the Omicron variant, are beginning to level off and the seasonal factors are seen normalizing soon, suggesting the recent surge in applications is a blip.
The US recorded an average of 739,234 new COVID cases each day over the past week, according to a DailyMail.com analysis.
The high level of cases is walloping the US workforce, forcing employers to scramble as staffers call in sick at record levels.
In New Mexico, National Guard troops and state bureaucrats are filling in for at least 800 teachers and childcare workers out sick in a bid to keep schools and daycares open.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (pictured) announced her plan to ask National Guard members and state employees to volunteer as substitute teachers
A Brandon Motor Lodge displays a 'Help Wanted' sign in Brandon, Florida in June
On Wednesday, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her plan to ask National Guard members and state employees to volunteer to become licensed substitute teachers or child care workers amid the surge in infections.
The governor said state workers are encouraged to participate in a spirit of public service and that no one is being drafted.
State employees and Guard members who participate will get their usual pay and be considered on administrative leave or active duty,
