For every sick Aussie, 10 have been healthier in 2020, McCrindle Research reveals
COVID-19 has devastated the country – and its ripple effects will take years to understand. But one’s already clear; many Aussies are actually healthier.
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While it’s likely to be cold comfort for those living in the nation’s coronavirus hot spots, a survey reveals for every Aussie who has been sicker than usual in 2020, 10 have been healthier.
The survey of more than 1000 people by social research agency McCrindle Research finds more than two in five Australians (41 per cent) have experienced fewer coughs and sniffles this year.
Almost one in six (15 per cent) say they’ve experienced at least three fewer colds and flus over the past three months while more than one in four (27 per cent) report they had one to two fewer colds and flus.
Just 4 per cent of those surveyed had more illness than previous years.
Mark McCrindle said the anecdotal reports from everyday Australians mirrored the official health statistics.
“The silver lining of COVID-19 is fewer colds and flus … and if we cannot only reduce the number of sick days but also the number of lives lost from influenza now and into the future, that will be one positive legacy of COVID,” he said.
Since the introduction of social-distancing practices earlier this year, there have been 786 lab-confirmed cases of influenza, according to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
That is a 99.6 per cent reduction on the same time last year, when there were 177,032 cases officially recorded between April and July.
“Australians are projected to experience an average of 2.5 fewer colds and flus this winter compared to previous years as a result of social distancing and hygiene practices,” Mr McCrindle said.
If the reduction in influenza cases is replicated across influenza-related deaths for the full year, it is predicted there will be around 3000 fewer influenza deaths in 2020.
“Data from the Immunisation Coalition shows that the 2019 flu season in Australia was the worst ever, yet, worryingly, January and February cases this year were higher than the same months last year,” Mr McCrindle said.
“By March, however, influenza cases in Australia were just a fraction of what they were at the same time last year, a by-product of our public health responses to COVID.”
According to the McCrindle modelling, the good news for employees is a whopping reduction in sick days this year compared to most – tipped to be about 43.4 million.
“Based on average Australian earnings, this reduction in sick leave saves the Australian economy is almost $14.4 billion,” Mr McCrindle said.
“(This) does not account for carers’ leave to look after children with a cold or flu, who generally have twice as many colds per year as adults.
“So, while we are well aware of the massive costs that COVID is creating in Australia, we have to keep in mind (there are) some savings and a big one of those is the reduction in sick days.
“Also, this is at a time when we have needed our emergency and ICU wards ready. If we can keep them free of what otherwise would be influenza-induced pneumonia cases, that helps.”