The following table shows the number of claims submitted to WorkSafeBC related to a COVID-19 exposure. The table is organized by sector and shows a point-in–time status of claims as they make their way through the adjudicative process.

The data reflects the eligibility decision on the claim file as of the report date. These numbers will fluctuate over time, as eligibility decisions and employer information continue to be updated. This information will be updated weekly.

COVID-19 illness/ODS claims data (update as of July 29, 2020)

Timeliness to eligibility decision on COVID-19 claims

For the COVID-19 illness claims that have been allowed to date, the average number of days from the date of claim registration to the date of the allow decision was 15 days.

For the COVID-19 illness claims that have been disallowed to date, the average number of days from the date of claim registration to the date of the disallow decision was 27 days.

On average, the number of days to a disallow decision is longer than for allow decisions. The reason for the additional time is to wait at least 14 days from the last potential exposure before disallowing a claim, in the event symptoms present themselves later in the incubation period. This extra time is necessary to confirm the worker did not contract the disease.

Classification units with 5 or more claims registered for COVID-19

Subsectors are further broken down into classification units. The data table above is presented at the industry sector or subsector level and the table below provides additional information for COVID-19 claims registered by classification unit.

Occupations with 5 or more claims that have been registered for COVID-19 and have proceeded to an allow or disallow decision

Of the COVID-19 claims registered, a subset have proceeded to an allow or disallow decision. Claims are allowed when the evidence is sufficient to establish the worker has COVID-19 and the risk in the workplace was significantly higher than the ordinary exposure risk. Claims are typically disallowed because the evidence is insufficient to establish that the worker has COVID-19 disease (based on tests or symptom cluster), and/or the worker went off work strictly as preventative measure.

In order to protect privacy, only occupations with a total claims allowed plus disallowed greater than 5 are listed.

Breakdown of allow and disallow decisions for occupations with both 5 or more allowed claims and 5 or more disallowed claims

Claims are allowed when the evidence is sufficient to establish the worker has COVID-19 and the risk in the workplace was significantly higher than the ordinary exposure risk. Claims are typically disallowed because the evidence is insufficient to establish that the worker has COVID-19 disease (based on tests or symptom cluster) and/or the worker went off work strictly as a preventative measure.

In order to protect privacy, only occupations with both 5 or more allowed claims and 5 or more disallowed claims are listed.