Duration of remote work and a positive diagnosis of COVID-19: an analysis of PNAD COVID19 data

Abstract

The scope of this work was to assess the association between the duration of remote work and a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 among individuals employed in Brazil. Data from the PNAD COVID19 (2020) survey were consulted. The variables in the work situation described included: absence from work due to physical distancing, work segment (work sector and formality: formal or informal private, military, statutory civil servant, CLT public sector, informal public sector, employer, self-employed/unpaid worker) and duration of remote work (no remote work for 1-2 months, 3-4 months, 5-7 months, respectively). The association between duration of remote work (exposure) and positive diagnosis for COVID-19 (outcome) was estimated by Cox regression, with adjustment for sociodemographic variables and work segment. The positive diagnosis of COVID-19 increased from 2.1% to 4.8% between July and November, and the frequency of remote work decreased from 11.6% to 9.5% between May and November. The risk of a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 was lower for people working remotely for 3-4 months, (HR=0.79; CI95%=0.67;0.92) and 5-7 months (HR=0.57; CI95%=0.48;0.67) compared to those who did not work remotely. There was a slight decrease in the percentage of remote work employees, and a longer duration reduced the risk of a positive diagnosis for COVID-19.