New daily COVID-19 cases have climbed recently causing jumps in the number of U.S. workers sidelined. There has been an increase in those who are unable to work at some point over the last four weeks or teleworked due to COVID-19 for the first time since December. Approximately 5.65 million people were unable to work in August or reported reduced hours, and the number who teleworked went up to 20.56 million. A senior economist at Glassdoor said “Ultimately, the Delta variant wave is a harsh reminder that the pandemic is still in the driver seat, and it controls our economic future.”
See "Delta variant causes disruption in U.S. working rates", Reuters, September 3, 2021