health
Increase in respiratory illness cases, a new risk factor for business productivity
The increase in infections impacts sectors that concentrate about 60% of the country's economic activity. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- Colombia has seen over 1.2 million cases of acute respiratory infections.
- Sectors like commerce, tourism, and services, which account for 60% of the economy, are highly exposed.
- Increased contagions lead to more employee absences, disrupting operations and raising costs.
- The rainy season contributes to the spread of viruses like influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.
- Absenteeism costs Colombian companies approximately $48,414 monthly per worker.
- Preventive measures, especially frequent handwashing, can reduce respiratory infections by over 20%.
- Companies are looking at hygiene infrastructure, like controlled dispensing systems, to reduce contagion risks.
- Managing health risks is becoming key to sustaining productivity, especially in sectors with high in-person interaction.