DWC: Nearly Half of COVID Claims, Fatalities Involve First Responders

Nearly half of the more than 78,000 claims for COVID-19 and more than half of the 422 fatalities reported since the pandemic started involved first responders and correctional workers, according to a new report by the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation. The DWC reports 11,161 claims were filed in January, the most of any month since the pandemic started. Claims fell to just 376 in February, the fewest in any month except June 2021. Combined, carriers have reported 78,299 claims to the DWC between Jan. 1, 2020, and Feb. 6, 2022. Carriers accepted 52% of claims with a positive test...