Study reveals cost of inefficient contact tracing
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Research from Contact Harald reveals that 84% of UK-based companies and organisations lost working days to ‘potential’ COVID-19 contact during 2020. Over £11bn worth of productive days were lost, costing each business an estimated £660,193. A further 1.4 million lost days could have been avoided if the right tracing systems had been in place.
[edit] Impact of lost work days
According to the report, 84% of large businesses and organisations in the UK have lost working days due to a lack of effective contact tracing [1]. The resulting lost productivity is estimated to have cost the country’s economy over £11bn [2] from March 2020 to March 2021 - a number equivalent to 4.3 million working days [3].
The study, which looked at 500 UK companies employing over 100 staff, found an average cost of £660,193 per business due to absent workers isolating and waiting for test results, following potential contact with COVID-19. This includes time off for those who thought they might have been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for the virus.
Businesses have, on average, lost the equivalent of nearly 255 working days due to possible COVID-19 contact, in addition to the average 142 days caused by absent staff with confirmed cases.
[edit] Importance of contact tracing
The research puts into sharp focus the need for efficient, accurate contact tracing if businesses are to remain profitable. However, over a third of businesses (37%) in Britain claim to have found tracking potential contact cases difficult, or very difficult, suggesting more support is required in order to protect companies - and employees - as the world starts operating again in a post COVID-19 era. A large majority of respondents (93%) said that a tech solution would have prevented days lost to potential COVID-19 contact.
Nick O’Halloran, founder of Contact Harald, commented, “More than 80% of businesses lost working days, which is cause for concern to any industry expecting to re-open its doors in the coming months."
"Our research found that businesses could have reduced the amount of days lost as result of potential COVID-19 contact by a third (33.5%) – if they had their affairs in order through contact tracking technology. Tech solutions could therefore have saved businesses at least 1,451,170 lost working days[4],” continues Contact Harald’s Founder and Head of Product, Matt Denton. “Contact Harald is a really simple, effective way to keep workers in any industry safe, whatever size or location, while still preserving privacy. Employees are given a card to keep on their person, and if a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 occurs, an authorised user within the business anonymously notifies anyone potentially affected to isolate.”
[edit] Footnotes
[1] Survey of 500 18+ decision makers in UK companies and organisations with 100+ employees in March 2021.
[2] There were 20,150 business with 100+ employees in 2020: 84.4% of businesses confirmed lost working days to self isolation/possible COVID exposure = 17,007 were affected. Mean cost is £660192.98 so 17,007 x £660192.98 = £11,227,902,010.86
[3] Assuming 17,007 businesses were affected (as per previous calculations) x 254.71 average number of working days lost due to potential contact and waiting for COVID tests = 4,331,852.97.
[4] Assuming 17,007 businesses were affected (as per previous calculations) x 254.71 average number of working days lost = 4,331,852.97. 33.5% of 4,331,852.97 = 1,451,170.
[edit] Related articles
Featured articles and news
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).